Promoting good governance worldwide

Context

The COVID-19 pandemic has put additional strain on democracy and the rule of law worldwide. Governments in the partner countries of German development cooperation find themselves facing major challenges as the digital transformation, urbanisation, climate change and growing social inequality are changing societies and the needs of people. The global, complex and far-reaching changes are pushing states to the limits of their ability to act. While a few societies work to expand democratic rules and practices, many democracies – both new and long established ones – are experiencing a rise in authoritarian tendencies. These global developments require new solutions.

Objective

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is better placed to address governance-related issues. German development cooperation promotes good governance as set out in the 2030 Agenda more effectively.

Approach

The programme provides BMZ with advice in a demand-based, flexible and timely manner that is aligned with current political priorities. It focuses on the positioning and further development of BMZ’s strategies, methods and approaches in the area of governance. By participating in specialist networks and international organisations, the programme represents German governance approaches, analyses international positions, discussions and trends for BMZ and incorporates these into policy advice. At the same time, it supports exchanges of information with projects in BMZ’s partner countries and efforts to share lessons learned from practical experience and scientific findings. Together with the Belgian development agency Enabel, the project also coordinates the secretariat of the Team Europe Democracy (TED) initiative, which was founded in 2022. TED aims to promote and protect democracy and human rights worldwide.

Last update: November 2023