Frequently asked questions

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federal enterprise with worldwide operations. It supports the German Federal Government and many other public and private clients in achieving their goals in international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work. Together with its partners, GIZ has been developing effective solutions that offer people better prospects and improve their living conditions for more than 50 years.

GIZ is wholly owned by the German Federal Government. As a shareholder, the Federal Government is represented by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Ministry of Finance (BMF).

We work in around 120 countries worldwide. All projects are based on a specific mandate – for example from the German Federal Government, national and international clients or the private sector.

We offer a wide range of services: we advise policy-makers and the private sector locally in our partner countries, for example on economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment and peace and security. Our work focuses on developing and strengthening the capacities of individuals, organisations and governments. We see this as the key to sustainable development – and sustainability is the principle that guides our actions and core business. A specific example is the work we do to support countries in driving digital transformation and implementing measures to counter disinformation. We develop strategies for fair skilled labour migration, manage construction and infrastructure projects and assist people in dealing with the impacts of climate change.

Our work is financed by public and private funds. We use these funds in a targeted manner to achieve the best possible results. Our main commissioning party is the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). In 2024, around EUR 3.2 billion of our business volume was commissioned by BMZ. A further approx. EUR 450 million was commissioned by other German public contracting authorities, such as the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) and the German Federal Foreign Office. We also support the federal states in implementing international development cooperation activities.

We also work for international clients such as the European Union, various UN organisations and foundations. National governments from all over the world, as well as the private sector, also commission us directly.

We work with a host of partners around the globe. Stable partnerships bring together interests between Germany, Europe and our partner countries and are essential for our work. After all, change can be achieved only if we work together.

We cooperate with international and regional organisations and with stakeholders from civil society and the scientific and academic community. We work with local partners – often with the relevant national ministries, but also with municipalities and local organisations. In Germany, we maintain close contact with public institutions, foundations, associations and KfW Development Bank.

Furthermore, cooperation with the private sector is becoming more and more important. In partnership with us, companies can steer their activities so that their success also results in improved living conditions for people locally. We pave the way for more private involvement in our countries of assignment by advising them on the right framework conditions and making use of networks to bring potential partners together. Take hydrogen, for example: we provide advice on the market ramp-up of green hydrogen in countries such as Brazil, South Africa and Morocco. This supports local people and also opens doors for German businesses, helps the climate and makes an important contribution to Germany’s energy security.

We work to shape a future worth living around the world. In doing so, our actions are guided by the principle of sustainability. We firmly believe that social responsibility, ecological balance and economic capacity must go hand in hand if current and future generations are to live safe, secure and dignified lives. As a federal enterprise, we are also guided by the principles upheld in German society. We promote respect for human rights, equal opportunities and integrity. At the same time, we support the rule of law and the political participation of the population, and are also committed to fairness within our own company.

International cooperation is in the interests of Germany and Europe. It promotes peace, security and prosperity worldwide – including here at home. Our work is not only effective locally for every single person we support, but also in the 120+ countries in which we operate, as it creates more stable conditions. Moreover, what we achieve in the rest of the world also has an impact here in Germany and Europe. For example, we help companies to open up new markets, secure jobs and attract skilled labour, we create prospects and reduce the root causes of displacement, and we ensure energy security and stable raw material supply chains. As an export nation, Germany is particularly dependent on stable partnerships and international cooperation to maintain its own prosperity. Our contribution to this is significant.

GIZ is a corporation in the legal form of a limited liability company under German law (GmbH), which is recognised as having a public-benefit status due to its corporate purpose. It is not our aim to maximise financial profit. We think in an entrepreneurial way and act cost-effectively; however, we are not profit-driven. We focus on supporting public welfare as part of our corporate purpose.

We generate the majority of our revenue (around EUR 3.7 billion in 2024) through the German federal government and other public-sector clients in Germany. These commissions are exempt from corporation and trade tax. Commissions from other clients, such as the European Commission, are taxed in accordance with German income tax regulations. However, even with these commissions, GIZ does not focus on making a profit. GIZ works on a cost-covering basis and also retains a small risk premium for these commissions to cover the entrepreneurial risk. Surplus profits are used for further international cooperation projects in line with the company’s purpose.

In 2024, GIZ’s business volume was approximately EUR 4 billion. Around EUR 3.7 billion of this was commissioned by federal ministries and other public sector clients in Germany. Business worth EUR 264 million was commissioned and financed by international clients from industrialised, emerging and developing countries.

GIZ is managed by a three-person Management Board. Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel is Chair of the Management Board. The other members are Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven and Anna Sophie Herken.

GIZ was established on 1 January 2011 as the result of a merger between three organisations: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, the German Development Service (DED) gGmbH and Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung gGmbH (InWEnt; Capacity Building International, Germany).

GIZ has two registered offices in Germany: one in Bonn and one in Eschborn, near Frankfurt am Main.

As at 31 December 2024, a total of 24,530 people were working for GIZ in around 120 countries – with 5,813 employed in Germany and 2,496 seconded abroad. 16,221 people worked as local staff in the partner countries. Overall, almost 76 per cent of GIZ employees work abroad. In 2024, GIZ’s workforce also included 224 development workers.

All relevant figures can be found in GIZ’s latest company report.

The reported data can be viewed in the d-portal, filtered by donor organisation and other criteria. Helpful information on how to use the data can be found on the IATI page.

BMZ began reporting data to IATI in 2013. The report includes all projects that were being implemented on 1 January 2013 and all projects started after this date.

Projects are only evaluated once they have been completed. For this reason, evaluations on ongoing projects are not available yet. 40 per cent of completed projects are evaluated. GIZ thus complies with the quality standards for the OECD-DAC’s development evaluation and BMZ’s guidelines – ‘Evaluating German Development Cooperation’ on transparency and dissemination of evaluation reports. um.

In Germany, detailed information on contracts is subject to data protection.

No political or fiduciary conditions apply to GIZ projects.

We use the sector classification provided by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). You can find an overview of the Creditor Reporting System (CRS) sector designations here. This system enables the international classification of international cooperation projects.

Compliance - our behaviour in accordance with the rules and laws - is an essential foundation of our work and our credibility. It stands for responsible corporate governance. Through consistent compliance with laws, internal rules and ethical standards, we maintain our reputation as a reliable and trustworthy partner in international cooperation.

Anti-corruption management is our systematic approach to preventing and combating corruption. All employees are obliged to comply with the anti-corruption policy and the applicable anti-corruption laws and to actively contribute to a working environment characterised by integrity. Managers have a particular responsibility in this regard - for example, by implementing control mechanisms such as the dual control principle, separating their functions and rotating tasks.  

The Compliance Management System (CMS) is the centrepiece of our compliance work. It systematically identifies risks, derives appropriate measures and supports us in minimising these risks. It is based on three pillars: prevention, control/detection and response. The CMS increases our certainty of action and protects against organisational culpability.

Responsibility for the CMS lies with the Governance, Risk, Compliance (GRC) unit. It coordinates compliance tasks across the company, identifies areas where action is needed and develops central guidelines. Once a year, the GRC reports on the status of the CMS: GIZ Compliance Annual Report 2023.

Please contact us if you have any questions via mail.