Purpose/Activities

German Development Service (DED) is now the GIZ - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit. Established on 1 January 2011, The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH brings together under one roof the long-standing expertise of the Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED) gGmbH (German Development Service), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH (German Technical Cooperation) and Inwent – Capacity Building International, Germany. For further information, go to www.giz.de.

 

The German Development Service (DED), since its foundation in 1963, has developed into one of the leading European development services for personnel cooperation. Currently almost 1.200 development workers are working in approximately 47 countries to improve peoples' living conditions in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Their aims are to fight poverty, to promote a self-determined, sustainable development and to preserve natural resources. The DED also offers its services to international clients.

 

Main tasks: 

The DED places development workers at the request of governmental and nongovernmental organisations in its partner countries respectively on the basis of bilateral framework agreements with respective governments. Development workers working on behalf of the DED usually are professionally experienced, socially committed specialists who engage mainly in training, advisory capacity and planning tasks.

The DED supports local civil organisations, municipal structures and self-help initiatives by providing specialist advice, if required supplemented by financial support. By providing support to local skilled staff the DED fosters capacity building for  a self-determined development.

The DED provides qualified graduates up to the age of 28 the possibility to gather development, professional, personal and intercultural experience during a one-year stay in a DED partner country.

In 2007, the DED established the secretariat for the new development volunteer programme  "weltwärts" (website in German). The DED also participates in "weltwärts"  as a volunteer assignment organisation. "weltwärts with DED" (website in German and since January 2011 it is called "weltwärts with GIZ") offers young adults between 18 and 24 the opportunity to work in a developing country for a 12 months' period.

The DED recruits German development workers wishing to serve as United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and coordinates and executes measures related to Civil Peace Service.

 

The DED's main fields of activity are:

Rural Development and Management of Natural Resources

Economic and Employment Promotion

Health Projects

Promoting democracy

 International Co-operations