Fragility, conflict and violence shape the realities of many of the countries where we work.
In these challenging contexts, we work to reduce underlying causes, promote peace and support sustainable development despite adverse conditions.
Working in fragile contexts
In fragile contexts and regions, we promote peace, strengthen communities and create prospects.
Understanding fragility – two perspectives
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) defines fragility in terms of low political, societal, economic and environmental resilience.
- The German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) sees the legitimacy, authority and capacity of a state as key factors in political fragility.
Both perspectives help us identify root causes and define entry points for our projects.
Causes of fragility and their consequences
Fragility often arises from a combination of external shocks to societies or political systems – such as climate change, economic crises, or pandemics – as well as internal weaknesses, including weak institutions or the absence of rule of law. These factors can exacerbate conflict, entrench poverty and fuel violence. In fragile contexts, progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is particularly difficult to achieve.
How GIZ works in fragile contexts
Conflict- and context-sensitive planning and implementation
For every project, both prior to launch and during implementation, we conduct thorough analyses of the human rights situation, conflict dynamics, and associated risks.
Flexibility
Projects are adapted to changing conditions to ensure they remain effective.
Security risk management
We develop strategies for the secure implementation of projects – including in crisis contexts.
Psychosocial support:
Our teams can draw on advisory services to enhance their coping capacity in managing stress.
Our approach for a sustainable impact
We are committed to long-term solutions:
- We address root causes: We focus on key fragility factors and strengthen the long-term resilience of societies.
- We identify and mitigate risks early on: We adapt projects to the local context to prevent negative impacts (‘do-no-harm’ principle) and to ensure a sustainable impact.
- We promote good governance:In all sectors, we support structures that foster peace, the rule of law and participation.
- We dovetail assistance, development and peacebuilding : We contribute to better coordination between crisis-management tools and longer-term development cooperation, thereby strengthening peace (humanitarian-development-peace nexus).
- We work flexibly – on-site and remotely: We are present locally and draw on local expertise. When permanent presence is not possible – for example, for security reasons – we rely on remote project management.
- We build strong partnerships: We tap into our long-standing relationships with state institutions, civil society and the private sector to achieve sustainable results in fragile regions and contexts
Insights
This project focuses on the following GIZ work priorities:
The project contributes to these Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations: