Context
Economic activity plays an important role in the development of every country, as companies create jobs and drive innovation. As a result, companies have the potential to solve global problems and help achieve development-policy objectives – such as climate protection or improved social standards. Linking foreign trade promotion and development cooperation allows the potential of companies to promote development to be harnessed in an optimal manner. Until now, however, not all developing countries and emerging economies have a local contact that can advise them on the advantages and opportunities associated with sustainable economic activity and on the services available from development cooperation.
Project Aim
The objective of the ExperTS Programme is to promote sustainable business practices around the world and to create better conditions under which companies can become involved in development policy activities in partner countries. As local contacts, ExperTS support small and medium-sized enterprises in particular in tapping into new markets and setting up innovative cooperation arrangements, as well as in ensuring that their involvement brings benefits for all sides. In this way, the programme, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), works at the intersection between development cooperation and foreign trade promotion, thus creating the basis for local sustainable development.
In around 30 countries, ExperTS advise local, German and European
companies on development policy issues in the following four priority areas:
• Sustainable economic development
• Energy and environment
• Vocational education and training
• Digitalisation and start-ups:
As ‘Integrated Experts’, the specialists of the ExperTS Programme are placed by the Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM). They are employed by the local AHKs, and receive a salary subsidy from the ExperTS Programme. The programme is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) and the Delegations of German Industry and Commerce.
Results
Since 2011, ExperTS have been helping achieve the following results:
• Around 31,500 individuals have benefited from technical, vocational and advanced training, giving them better access to the labour market.
• More than 15,000 individuals have found jobs.
• More than 9,300 individuals have improved their working conditions and more than 11,600 people have increased their income.
• Training energy managers has cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 2.5 million tonnes.
• 50 million people will have access to a better waste management