German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ)

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH - German Technical Cooperation- is one of the world's largest consultancy organisations for development cooperation. GTZ is owned by the German government and implements technical cooperation activities of the government. In 130 countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America and in the transition countries of Central Europe more than 10,000 GTZ co-workers are helping to improve the living standards and opportunities for local people and preserve their natural basis of life. GTZ's chief financing organisation is the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation Development (BMZ). GTZ is a public-benefit company and primarily uses public funds for its operations. Any surplus which ensues is used exclusively for development cooperation projects. 

GTZ advises people and organisations in planning, implementing and evaluating projects and programmes in more than 130 countries of the world. Their expertise addresses all areas of a country's economy - be it controlling forest fires in Indonesia, AIDS prevention in Kenya, vocational training in Argentina, right through to government advisory services in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Experts from 30 specialised activity areas ("Health and population" or "Forest management and nature conservation" are but two examples) are helping to plan and implement more than 2,700 projects. Specialists at Head Office and in the field pool and exchange their knowledge via sector networks, for example, on issues such as "Economic reform and employment promotion". In certain areas, e.g. "building technology" the GTZ network locks in with different institutions - universities, non-governmental organisations or political foundations - to create an animated exchange of information. To implement its project work GTZ recruits local or German experts and provides them with intensive briefing and support during their assignment. Some 1,500 field staff members are presently working together with 8,318 locally-contracted personnel. Another 800 "integrated experts" are directly posted with employers in partner countries. Should a country lack suitably qualified personnel GTZ can organise customised training courses. Procurement services assist in obtaining the equipment and materials needed for project work; financial contributions are awarded and settled. Equipment and financial contributions directly benefit projects and programmes and are non-reimbursable.
 

Contact:

Mr Stephan Paulus
GTZ
Wachsbleiche 1
53111 Bonn
Tel: +49-228-985-330
Fax: +49-228-985-7018
Email: gtzpvi@aol.com
website: www.gtz.de/home/english/gtz