Promoting employment through development cooperation

Context

High levels of unemployment, underemployment and unsuitable working conditions, principally affecting women and young people, are among the most urgent socio-economic challenges in many developing countries. The problems have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis. At the same time, a global change in the economy and job market is taking place, characterised by increasing digitalisation and the impacts of climate change.

Productive employment and good working conditions therefore continue to be key objectives pursued by the political initiatives of the German Federal Government and the Core Area Strategy 3 ‘Sustainable economic development, training and employment’. These focus in particular on creating green jobs, promoting employment for women and the potential of digitalisation for employment.

Objective

New and enhanced employment promotion strategies and approaches are a key component of German and international development cooperation for implementing the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Approach

The project supports the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in advancing its approaches to and strategies for employment promotion. It also advises BMZ on dynamic international processes in employment promotion and good working conditions. Key priority areas are employment for women, the quality of the work, the creation of green jobs and the challenges posed by digitalisation.

The project also prepares and provides talking points and comments on employment approaches to feed into national and international debate.

In addition, it draws up conceptual approaches for employment promotion and formulates strategies for the partner regions, particularly Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and works constantly to hone them. To achieve this, the project leverages expertise and research partnerships in addition to the experience of German and international development cooperation.

Cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and its initiatives also plays a key role.

Last update: October 2022