What German development policy accomplishes
In the area of development policy, Germany cooperates with 65 partner countries. Discover more important facts here.
What does Germany mean by development cooperation?
Development cooperation describes the commitment shown by Germany to improving the lives of people in developing countries. For a long time people talked about development aid. This term is no longer used because the German government regards the countries as equal partners working towards a common goal. Development cooperation encompasses not only financial cooperation but, above all, the provision of support and advice in technical and personnel terms.
Who is responsible for German development cooperation?
The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is responsible for German development cooperation. One important actor is also the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). Besides focusing on local business fields in Germany and Europe, the KfW development bank provides funding to implement climate protection targets in developing countries or promote reform processes there. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH pursues all kinds of different activities in international cooperation on behalf of various clients. The federally owned company is the largest development cooperation actor in Germany. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides scholarships and supports the establishment of higher education systems in partner countries. Supporters of development cooperation include business associations, chambers of industry and commerce, clubs and non-governmental organisations. Development cooperation is not only the responsibility of politicians, in other words, but involves many parts of society.
How does Germany define good development cooperation?
In the view of the BMZ, good development cooperation is relevant both to the future and to today: that’s why the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences, military conflicts such as the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and indeed the climate crisis have to some extent determined development cooperation of late.
What types of development cooperation are there?
The BMZ follows various approaches: national governments for example are granted direct loans or receive advice from German experts. Another form of development cooperation involves the EU and its member states. According to the BMZ, they account for nearly half of international cooperation and collectively constitute the world’s largest donor. Germany is the number two international donor country after the USA.
With which countries does Germany cooperate particularly closely?
German development policy involves cooperating with 65 partner countries. The BMZ’s leading global partners, with which cooperation is being constantly intensified, include emerging economies such as Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and Vietnam.
