Berlin Representation

GIZ is represented in the German capital by its Berlin Representation. It is based in the GIZ-Haus, a building which dates back to 1913 and is located at Reichpietschufer in the heart of Berlin. The role of the Berlin Representation is to brief policy-makers and our partners and visitors on GIZ, its role and how it works.

Berlin Representation

Information and advice  

As a federal enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. At the Berlin Representation, we highlight aspects emerging from GIZ’s work and from the political arena that can give fresh impetus to international cooperation for sustainable development. We respond to requests for information about GIZ’s work, monitor political developments of particular interest and relevance to GIZ, and feed information on these back to the company.

Promoting dialogue – creating spaces – maintaining contacts

The GIZ-Haus is a place of encounter. It hosts a wide range of events and meetings, creating a space for discussion and debate and for stimulating and sharing ideas.

Wherever possible, the Berlin Representation promotes and supports cooperation and partnerships with cultural and private sector bodies, political and private foundations, universities and research institutions, and the media. We use our expertise to transport the company’s priorities and messages into the Berlin political arena and to draw attention to specific topics. We work closely with the German parliament and federal ministries to ensure that we always have our finger on the pulse of policy trends relevant to international cooperation.

The experience of our partners and colleagues from around the world plays an important role here. We bring individuals together in background discussions and expert debates, workshops, conferences and special one-off events to share their experiences, generate impetus for our work, and build networks.

Additional information

    The Berlin Representation is located in the GIZ-Haus on Reichpietschufer.

    Originally built in 1913 for a transatlantic cargo insurance company, the GIZ-Haus is one of only two surviving original buildings on Berlin’s historic Potsdamer Platz (the other is Haus Huth). After serving many different purposes, the building was acquired by GIZ’s predecessor organisation GTZ in 1999 and restored to conservation standard. It opened as the Berlin Representation in September 2001. Today, both the interior and exterior of the building combine traditional and modern elements, embedded firmly in the architecture of the twenty-first century. The rear of the building is graced by ‘WindSpiegelWand’ (‘WindMirrorWall’), a work by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson.