Shaping social and ecological economic systems

Context

Germany's partner countries are facing major challenges: the climate change and biodiversity crisis, the consequences of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, debt crises, and widespread poverty and inequality. The traditional economic development approach is reaching its limits. National economies must undergo a fundamental socio-ecological transformation.

A socio-ecological transformation provides for climate-neutral, environmentally-friendly and resource-saving economic development. At the same time, everyone should be able to participate in the economy, especially women. Economic development, with businesses creating jobs and income, is also crucial to overcoming poverty and hunger. Promoting this just transition is a focus of German and international development cooperation.

Objective

Approaches and strategies for economic policy and private sector development that promote implementation of a socio-ecological transformation and the UN’s 2030 Agenda have been firmly established in German and international development cooperation.

Approach

The project advises the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) on anchoring a socio-ecological economic transformation in bilateral and international development cooperation.

The focus is on advisory services that target change implementation in intergovernmental programmes. Topics include long-term economic, structural and industrial policy, green industries and business models, and women's economic empowerment. The project is thereby contributing to BMZ's development policy priorities – especially the Just Transition, feminist development policy and the fight against poverty and hunger.

The project is also promoting international networks – such as the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED), the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP), and the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE).

Last update: June 2023