GIZ Bangladesh

Bangladesh

Sirajganj

Sylhet

Jamalpur

Narayanganj

Faridpur

Jhalokathi

Chandpur

Pabna

Chapai Nawabganj

Rangpur

Khulna

Rajshahi

Chittagong

Dhaka

Sreemangal

Lohagara

Natore

Madaripur

Country population: 156.6 million (2013)

Size: 147,570 square kilometres

Population density: 1,087 people per square kilometre

GDP: USD 129.9 billion (2013)

Capital: Dhaka

Year of independence: 1971

Government: Parliamentary democracy

Language: Bangla

GIZ WorldwideBroaD-BaSeD exPertiSe for SUStainaBle

DeveloPment

The services delivered by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH draw on a wealth of regional and technical expertise and tried and tested management know-how. As a federal enterprise, we support the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. We are also engaged in international education work around the globe.

tailoreD ServiceS

We offer demand-driven, tailor-made and effective services for sustainable development. To ensure the participation of all stakeholders, we apply a holistic approach based on the values and principles upheld in German society. This is how we facilitate change and empower people to take ownership of their own sustainable development processes. In doing this, we are always guided by the concept of sustainable development, and take account of political, economic, social and ecological factors. We support our partners at local, regional, national and international level in designing strategies and meeting their policy goals.

DeveloPing SolUtionS

GIZ operates in many fields: economic development and employment promotion; governance and democracy; security, reconstruction, peacebuilding and civil conflict transformation; food security, health and basic education; and environmental protection, resource conservation and climate change mitigation. We also support our partners with management and logistical services, and act as an intermediary, balancing diverse interests in sensitive contexts. In crises, we carry out refugee and emergency aid programmes. As part of our services, we also second development workers to partner countries.

Through programmes for integrated and returning experts, we place managers and specialist personnel in key positions in partner countries. We also promote networking and dialogue among actors in international cooperation. Capacity development for partner-country experts is a major component of our services, and we offer our programme participants diverse opportunities to benefit from the contacts they have made. We also give young people a chance to gain professional experience around the world – exchange programmes for young professionals lay the foundations for successful careers in national and international markets.

We create prospects for people and with people: Midwifery students from Sylhet

Who We Work for

Most of our work is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). GIZ also operates on behalf of other German ministries – including the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, the Federal Ministry of Defence, the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy and the Federal Ministry of the Interior – as well as German states and municipalities, and public and private sector clients in Germany and abroad. These include the governments of other countries, European Union Institutions, such as the European Commission, the United Nations and the World Bank. We work closely with the private sector and promote synergies between the development and foreign trade sectors. Our considerable experience with networks in partner countries and in Germany is a key factor for successful international cooperation, not only in the business, research and cultural spheres, but also in civil society.

gloBal reach – the comPany at a glance

GIZ operates throughout Germany and in more than 130 countries worldwide. Our registered offices are in Bonn and Eschborn. We have 16,510 staff around the globe, almost 70 per cent of whom are employed locally as national personnel. There are also 869 development workers currently carrying out assignments for GIZ. In addition, CIM – which is jointly run by GIZ and the German Federal Employment Agency – places experts with local employers. At the end of 2013, GIZ had concluded subsidy agreements with 545 integrated experts, while 439 returning experts were receiving financial support and advice.

GIZ’s business was over EUR 1.9 billion as at 31 December 2013.

(Figures as at 31 December 2014)

16,150staff around the globe

130countries worldwide

859development

workers

545integrated experts

439returning experts

Photo: We help policy-makers to translate their objectives into practice - to make change work: International training for Climate

Change Negotiations in Dhaka

GIZ in BangladeshGIZ has been a development partner of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh since the country gained independence. Today, this development partnership marks more than 40 years of successful cooperation and is a reflection of GIZ’s continuing commitment to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

At GIZ, sustainability is our core business. We focus on achieving concrete results and being both resource-efficient and responsive to the changing needs of an upcoming nation, so that development gains in Bangladesh are not just long-lasting but also sustainable. More than 300* international and national GIZ experts work with the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (GoB), the private sector, as well as civil society members on projects that address key challenges for future development. We actively contribute to networks at the national, regional and global level. At GIZ, we create prospects - for people and with people. We stand up for equal rights for women and men and commit to the protection of the environment and its natural resources.

GIZ implements development projects on behalf of the German Government. Most of our work is commissioned by the BMZ but we also receive commissions from other bilateral and multilateral donors like the UK government, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Energising Development (EnDev) and the private sector. We also cooperate with Kf W Development Bank.

One of our biggest strengths is that we know the world - from more than 50 years of experience in partner countries. This enables us to transfer the lessons learnt and experiences gathered from other countries to help policy-makers translate their objectives into practice - to make change work.

In 2014, we successfully invested EUR 23.80 million (BDT 2.14 billion) in the development of Bangladesh. Working on behalf of BMZ, with the GoB, we focus on the following priority areas:

a) Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency;b) Good Governance, Rule of Law and Human

Rights;c) Adaptation to Climate Change in Urban Areas.

We also work in the fields of Health, Biodiversity and Disaster Risk Management.

* as of May 2015

Sustainability is our core business: Activities for biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh

Quick facts:

• Illegal logging in the Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary has been reduced by 40 per cent from 2009-2014;

• Between 2010 - January 2015, 106 solar-powered water pump systems were installed in coastal areas, giving more than 800,000 beneficiaries access to safe drinking water;

• From 2011-2014, 16,917 workers, supervisors and mid-level employees were trained on fire safety, of whom 5,272 (31 per cent) were female.

reneWaBle energieS anD energy efficiencyDevelopment needs energy. At GIZ Bangladesh (BD) we bring renewable energy systems to rural areas that urgently need them, while focusing on solutions that are clean and affordable. We promote the sustainable supply and consumption of energy in order to ensure energy security, reduced emissions and improved livelihoods throughout the country. To achieve this target, we involve local partners from the financial and private sectors, non-government organisations and rural communities. We work closely with the GoB to improve the legal and institutional framework of the energy sector. Beneficiaries at both rural and urban settings and big to small enterprises can profit from this approach as supply and access to sustainable energy services is improved. At the same time, we raise awareness among financial institutions about the need to provide suitable financial mechanisms to support renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.

gooD governance, rUle of laW anD hUman rightS

A transparent, accountable and development-oriented government is the key to a country’s progress and sustainable development. At

GIZ BD, we support the GoB to improve the justice system for the most vulnerable members of the society and prevent corruption at

local and national levels. We support equal rights for women and men and increase women’s engagement with the justice system.

To address key challenges in the Ready Made Garments (RMG) industry, we build capacities – so that factories can comply with

social and environmental standards. We promote workers' rights and workplace safety and support workers to understand and claim

their rights within the labour law.

aDaPtation to climate change in UrBan areaS

Bangladesh is among the countries most severely affected by climate change, which increases urban migration. Around 40 per cent of the

country’s urban population lives in slums, facing overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure and risky building standards. At GIZ BD, we believe that

long-term strategies and measures addressing the negative repercussions of climate change are essential. We therefore aim to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable people as well as the infrastructure and increase people’s earning

capacity. We work with our government counterparts to prepare them for the implementation of the national climate change strategy and help them to integrate climate change into national planning documents. We

also increase transparency in climate finance and assist the GoB to build a climate resilient nation with domestic and international funds.

engagement oUtSiDe of the Priority areaS

At GIZ BD we strive to develop sustainable solutions. We initiate projects to help conserve, manage and restore

ecosystems such as wetlands and forests. To enable vulnerable communities to become resilient to natural

disasters and the impacts of climate change, we train men and women to protect themselves against natural disasters

and help generate employment and additional income opportunities. Moreover, we support the health sector

of Bangladesh to build a healthier and more prosperous nation. Our goal is for everybody to have access to quality

health services without financial hardship.

giZ international ServiceS

In 2002, GIZ International Services (IS), the independently operating business area of GIZ was established. IS works on behalf of clients such as international institutions, national governments and private businesses. It implements commissions on behalf of these clients with the German Government’s approval, placing at their disposal the strategies and expertise of German international cooperation. GIZ IS competitively bids for work in Bangladesh with public and private actors, with emphasis on skills development and improving social and environmental standards in RMG factories. It also promotes the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Published byDeutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Registered offices Bonn and Eschborn, Germany

GIZ Office Dhaka Road 90, House 10/C, Gulshan 2Dhaka 1212, BangladeshT +8809666701-000F +88028823099E giz-bangladesh@giz.de I www.giz.de/bangladesh

As atMay 2015

Printed byPortonics Limited

Design and layoutBig Blue Communications

Distributed byGIZ BD

Photo creditsCover: Thomas Kelly / GIZ BD; Shumon Ahmed / GIZ BDPage 1/4/5: Thomas Kelly / GIZ BDPage 2: GIZ BDPage 3/7: Ranak Martin / DRIK / GIZ BDPage 6: GIZ BDPage 8: Jennifer Kohel / GIZ BD

TextLena Hollender, Anna Hellge and Rezwana Huq

GIZ is responsible for the content of this publication.

On behalf of theGerman Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)