Advising companies on long-term commitment in countries of the Global South

Context

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a global framework for socio-ecological transformation. Private-sector representatives play a central role and bear responsibility for delivering the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Cooperation with the private sector at the German, European and local levels is not only referred to in SDG 17 ‘Partnerships for the goals’. Cooperation with the private-sector enterprises can play a part in achieving all SDGs, including not least SDG 8 ‘Decent work and economic growth’, SDG 9 ‘Industry, innovation and infrastructure’ and SDG 12 ‘Responsible consumption and production’.

Objective

The interaction of development cooperation and the private sector helps boost private investments and expertise, which drives socio-ecological transformation in the countries of the Global South.

Approach

The AWE (Agency for Business and Economic Development) project is part of the ‘Partners in Transformation’ network of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and forms the central point of contact for German and European businesses on development cooperation. The primary objective is to utilise the innovative power and resources of the economy for sustainable development.

To this end, the project promotes cooperation between representatives of the national and international business community and development cooperation. In the process, information and advisory services will be created, along with networks that mobilise private investments and knowledge to benefit the socio-ecological transformation.

The measures can be divided into three fields of activity:

1. providing an advisory service for business networks; and
2. developing and preparing innovations and projects with the private sector;
3. offering digital information and exchange formats for the private sector.

Lead executing agencies of the AWE are the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and DEG Impulse gGmbH.

Last update: July 2024