Free participation

You can ask BMZ to fund your assignment preparation at the Academy if you meet the following criteria:
You are a German international cooperation expert or manager and:

• will be working on a German development cooperation project for at least one year (or on an intermittent basis for at least six months per year)
• in a developing country or emerging economy included in the DAC country list (or primarily for a DAC list country as part of a wider regional approach).

Accompanying partners may also apply for course funding provided that they intend to relocate for at least one year.

The following institutions are eligible to take part in our programme:

• German federal ministries (especially BMZ and the Federal Foreign Office) and their subordinate units or departments;
• German development cooperation implementing organisations: the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), the Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and consulting firms engaged by KfW or GIZ;
• recognised development services and political foundations;
• non-governmental organisations and universities that receive a grant from BMZ or are involved in a BMZ-funded project.

If you do not meet these conditions, then you can find information on self-financed participation here: Self-funded participation.

Employees of sending organisations and accompanying family members should be registered through their organisation’s HR department.

GIZ staff and accompanying family members will find further information on the GIZ intranet.

Our colleagues Uli Wölfle and Anja Knieps will be happy to provide you with personal advice on our range of courses and answer any questions you may have.

Registration & Support - Preparation for abroad

T +49(0)228 / 4460-2020 / -2055
E schluesselqualifikation@giz.de

You will need to register no later than 20 days before the course begins. Please ensure that we receive your application as soon as possible if you wish us to make childcare arrangements, especially in the case of children under a year old.

Our assignment preparation courses are free for German international cooperation experts and managers who meet the conditions for BMZ funding (see above). BMZ funding covers up to four weeks of non-language preparation and up to four weeks of language training.

Here at Campus Kottenforst, you will be learning, living and relaxing side by side with others working in the field of international cooperation. As well as over 60 guest rooms in the main building, the campus has seven large apartments for families. We have also partnered with nearby hotels to ensure that accommodation is available at busier times. All course participants can use the campus restaurant, which offers a variety of dishes from all over the world. Click here for more information about accommodation.

BMZ-funded participants are entitled to free accommodation with full board.

If you have any questions about accommodation or meals, please contact the event management team at Campus Kottenforst. You will receive details of your accommodation shortly before you are due to arrive.

Bonn-Röttgen Event Management Team

Telefon: +49 228-4460 2000

E-Mail: tagungsmanagement.roettgen@giz.de

To make things easier for you and your family, we can also arrange suitable childcare while you attend your preparation course. Our on-site childcare facilities are open to children between the ages of one and ten who will also be relocating to the country of assignment. Qualified staff will organise age-appropriate learning and play activities.

On-site childcare places are limited in number. If places are no longer available during your preparation course, you may be able to claim free accommodation and board for an additional person to care for your child(ren). We can also send you information about other local childcare providers.

Once you have relocated to the country of assignment, you may find that you still need some further training. If your preparation course was funded by BMZ, you can request additional follow-up training within 12 months of relocation.

Alternatively, you may simply wish to discuss your experiences in the partner country with your trainer. For some of our preparation courses, we can arrange a series of follow-on consultations with your trainer. These may help you to reflect on specific issues related to your course or obtain further input to help you deal with personal challenges. You can request three one-hour consultations with your trainer through the SQ Portal.

On request, we can issue a certificate confirming that you attended the AIZ course for which you were registered. The certificate also includes brief details of the subjects covered during your course.

If a course is cancelled by a BMZ-funded participant, we will make a charge only if we have actually incurred costs as a result of cancellation at short notice (i.e. five days or less before the start date) or if you are a no-show. This applies particularly to courses that have been organised for just one person, e.g. one-to-one language tuition or country analyses. You will not be charged if you have to cancel due to illness.