As a reliable partner, we support the German Government in achieving its international cooperation goals. This not only involves working with international partners, but also requires cooperation with state governments and local authorities within a federal system.
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German federal states and local authorities
We work with German federal states and local authorities to shape international cooperation. Whether with their local business community, public institutions, universities or non-profit organisations – international cooperation projects generate synergies, develop contacts and enable expertise to be deployed most effectively.
Pooling Germany’s activities for international cooperation
We work on behalf of the German Government to support federal state governments and local authorities with implementing their own projects and programmes abroad:
- our country offices around the world have valuable contacts and extensive knowledge of local conditions. GIZ's foreign infrastructure is on hand to answer any questions our partners have about our activities abroad.
- We also put federal state and municipal institutions from the worlds of policy-making, business and civil society in touch with corresponding German Government experts and international initiatives – particularly in conjunction with the 2030 Agenda.
- From the Sustainable Development Goals to specific working methods in international cooperation: we share our knowledge and extensive expertise.
GIZ uses experience-sharing and cooperation at local level to support political and economic reform processes in the partner countries of German international cooperation. This also enables us to promote long-term cooperation between cities, regions and the private sector abroad and in Germany.
Promoting cross-border business partnerships
On behalf of the German Government, we liaise closely with federal state governments and local authorities to organise delegation and study trips to Germany for people from all over the world. These trips are aimed at experts and managers from partner countries of international cooperation: we bring experts and decision-makers from the worlds of policy-making, administration and business together with German specialists. These meet-ups form the basis for Germany’s long-term international partnerships.
We run a range of programmes on behalf of the German Government that offer support services and cooperation opportunities for your international initiatives.
GIZ’s regional offices in Germany serve as intermediaries between actors at international, German Government and federal state level. We assist federal state governments with their international partnerships and programmes. We assume responsibility for coordinating with local partners in Germany and abroad. The regional offices also provide key contacts and access to Germany’s federal states for international cooperation projects.
Write to us to find out more:
Kundenportal der GIZ-Regionalbüros in Deutschland
Federal states and local authorities get results worldwide
- SMEs with global connections
Partnering in Business with Germany is a global programme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy that works closely with federal states and local authorities to promote foreign trade. The goal is to establish partnerships between small and medium-sized enterprises from developing countries and emerging economies on the one hand and Germany on the other. - German Government and federal states hand in hand
The German Government and Federal States Programme (BLP) sees Germany’s central Government and its federal states working together in a development cooperation context, with federal states receiving support with their individual approaches for projects abroad. A total of 74 projects were implemented in 24 countries between 2015 and 2024. - Secondment of scouts to associations and institutions
We advise BMZ and other German Government and EU actors on matters of sustainable municipal development. Seconding staff as ‘municipal scouts’ to German local authority associations such as the Association of German Cities (DST) and the Association of Local Utilities (VKU) enables us to mainstream international cooperation across the board. At European level, our scouts work closely with the European Commission. - Cities of the future
Connective Cities is an international platform that supports networking and cooperation between cities in Germany and partner countries around the world aimed at creating a future worth living in which cities become sustainable and future-proof. - Water management without borders
The Utility Platform promotes cooperation between German and international utility companies in the water and circular economy sector. At the same time, long-term structures are being established for future partnerships. - Municipal partnerships with Ukraine
We support local structures and municipal partnerships around the world –including in fragile contexts such as the situation in Ukraine. We work with German local authorities, for instance, to enable the swift and non-bureaucratic delivery of aid for safeguarding basic public service provision. - Climate action made in Ghana and NRW
The partnership between Ghana and North Rhine-Westphalia is proving extremely successful. It shows how joint action works and how actors can combine their strengths. All parties are learning from experience. Proven solutions are emerging for manging our environment more sustainably.
