Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

The International Power-to-X Hub is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) and is financed through the International Climate Initiative as part of Germany"s hydrogen and Power-to-X policy framework. The International Power-to-X Hub supports the transition to climate-neutral industries and economies by promoting sustainable Power-to-X solutions where direct electrification is not yet feasible, especially in hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation, maritime transport, and energy-intensive industries. Power-to-X enables the production of fuels and chemical feedstocks from renewable electricity and sustainable carbon or nitrogen sources and is therefore a key instrument for replacing fossil-based inputs in sectors including chemicals, fertilisers, steel, cement, aviation, and shipping. The project is based on the understanding that renewable electricity must be used directly wherever possible and that Power-to-X should be applied specifically in areas where no more efficient decarbonisation option is currently available. The PtX Hub has already supported partner countries in developing allocation scenarios for hydrogen and other PtX products, including related value chain analyses. Current and previous activities have been carried out with public-sector partners in Morocco, South Africa, Kenya and Argentina, as well as in other countries of the Global South. At the same time, the International Power-to-X Hub recognises the major development opportunities associated with sustainable PtX markets, particularly for countries with strong renewable energy potential, which can reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports, lower emissions, build new value chains, and position themselves in emerging international markets for climate-neutral fuels and products. A central principle of the project is that sustainability must guide market development from the outset. Power-to-X is only climate-compatible when based on renewable electricity and robust environmental and social standards across the value chain, supported by appropriate certification systems and reliable investment conditions. To date, the PtX Hub has helped identify concrete business cases and derive recommendations for improving regulatory frameworks for sustainable PtX markets. These activities are intended to support pilot-scale implementation and prepare partner countries for the future domestic use and export of electricity-based sustainable fuels. Working with public and private sector partners, we aim to accelerate practical, country-specific pathways towards the production and use of sustainable hydrogen derivatives, e-fuels, and other PtX products, thereby contributing to global climate goals and long-term sustainable economic transformation.

Ziel dieses Auftrags ist die Beschaffung und Bereitstellung eines virtuellen Whiteboards als Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)-Lösung, die es Mitarbeitenden der GIZ ermöglicht, effizient mit externen Partner*innen und Stakeholdern zusammenzuarbeiten.

The Team Europe Initiative (TEI) "Sustainability in Global Value Chains" is an initiative co-financed by the European Commission (EC) that supports stakeholders in partner countries of EU development cooperation - governments, businesses, civil society organizations, trade unions and workers, and multi-stakeholder initiatives - in navigating and identifying relevant information related to the requirements and opportunities presented by the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). GIZ is implementing the TEI on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) as part of the sector programme "Corporate and Public Responsibility for Sustainable Supply Chains." Background and Objective: The CSDDD entered into force on 25 July 2024 and requires large EU companies (with more than 1,000 employees and an annual turnover exceeding EUR 450 million) as well as non-EU companies with significant activities in the EU market (over EUR 450 million in EU turnover) to uphold human rights standards and carry out environmental due diligence throughout their entire value chains. Due to the strong external dimension of this Directive, numerous actors in partner countries (recipients of EU development cooperation assistance) will be affected - including governments, companies, civil society organizations, and social partners. Many of these stakeholders are either unfamiliar with the concept of corporate due diligence or view the CSDDD as a trade barrier. Furthermore, the potential benefits of the CSDDD - such as improved access to legal remedies for affected parties or competitive advantages for sustainable companies - are often not well understood. To ensure that the CSDDD is implemented in a development-oriented and collaborative manner, companies and their partner countries require specific support. In particular, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in these countries need accompanying measures to turn the implementation of the CSDDD into an opportunity. Coordination through the Team Europe Initiative The EC and several EU Member States (Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Sweden) launched the TEI to improve the coordination and transparency of various existing EU support measures. This broad array of funding initiatives often makes it challenging for stakeholders in partner countries to locate appropriate support services. By aggregating the support available, the TEI consolidates these measures and ensures more efficient collaboration. Key Measure: EU Helpdesk "European Due Diligence Navigator" The main aim of the TEI is to establish and run the "EU Due Diligence Navigator", an EU Helpdesk. The Navigator consists of: - An online platform that presents general information on the CSDDD itself, as well as various associated support measures aimed at the target groups (key stakeholders in partner countries). - Personalized advisory services provided by a specialized team of advisors This measure is jointly financed by the EC and BMZ and is implemented by GIZ. The Navigator has the specific goal of informing stakeholders in partner countries about the requirements associated with the CSDDD and the opportunities arising from it. This is done by providing general information on the CSDDD and directing users of the Navigator to where they can find suitable support. Coordination is carried out closely with the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) of the European Commission. In summary, the TEI promotes a sustainable and equitable implementation of the CSDDD in partner countries. By providing coordinated information and support services, it aims to ensure that companies and other stakeholders can leverage the requirements of the CSDDD as an opportunity for development.

The Team Europe Initiative (TEI) "Sustainability in Global Value Chains" is an initiative co-financed by the European Commission (EC) that supports stakeholders in partner countries of EU development cooperation - governments, businesses, civil society organizations, trade unions and workers, and multi-stakeholder initiatives - in navigating and identifying relevant information related to the requirements and opportunities presented by the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). GIZ is implementing the TEI on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) as part of the sector programme "Corporate and Public Responsibility for Sustainable Supply Chains." Background and Objective: The CSDDD entered into force on 25 July 2024 and requires large EU companies (with more than 1,000 employees and an annual turnover exceeding EUR 450 million) as well as non-EU companies with significant activities in the EU market (over EUR 450 million in EU turnover) to uphold human rights standards and carry out environmental due diligence throughout their entire value chains. Due to the strong external dimension of this Directive, numerous actors in partner countries (recipients of EU development cooperation assistance) will be affected - including governments, companies, civil society organizations, and social partners. Many of these stakeholders are either unfamiliar with the concept of corporate due diligence or view the CSDDD as a trade barrier. Furthermore, the potential benefits of the CSDDD - such as improved access to legal remedies for affected parties or competitive advantages for sustainable companies - are often not well understood. To ensure that the CSDDD is implemented in a development-oriented and collaborative manner, companies and their partner countries require specific support. In particular, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in these countries need accompanying measures to turn the implementation of the CSDDD into an opportunity. Coordination through the Team Europe Initiative The EC and several EU Member States (Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Sweden) launched the TEI to improve the coordination and transparency of various existing EU support measures. This broad array of funding initiatives often makes it challenging for stakeholders in partner countries to locate appropriate support services. By aggregating the support available, the TEI consolidates these measures and ensures more efficient collaboration. Key Measure: EU Helpdesk "European Due Diligence Navigator" The main aim of the TEI is to establish and run the "EU Due Diligence Navigator", an EU Helpdesk. The Navigator consists of: - An online platform that presents general information on the CSDDD itself, as well as various associated support measures aimed at the target groups (key stakeholders in partner countries). - Personalized advisory services provided by a specialized team of advisors This measure is jointly financed by the EC and BMZ and is implemented by GIZ. The Navigator has the specific goal of informing stakeholders in partner countries about the requirements associated with the CSDDD and the opportunities arising from it. This is done by providing general information on the CSDDD and directing users of the Navigator to where they can find suitable support. Coordination is carried out closely with the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) of the European Commission. In summary, the TEI promotes a sustainable and equitable implementation of the CSDDD in partner countries. By providing coordinated information and support services, it aims to ensure that companies and other stakeholders can leverage the requirements of the CSDDD as an opportunity for development.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Colombia, on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implements between July 2025 and June 2028 the "Regions Initiative - Promoting the economic and health participation of particularly vulnerable refugees and migrants and host communities in Colombia". Objective: to strengthen the inclusion and participation of migrants, women, LGBTIQ+ people, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in Cali (mainly) and Bogota, by: (1) improving employment and income (training, entrepreneurship, linkage with private sector and finance); (2) access to sexual and reproductive health services and rights (training, adaptation of protocols, clinical partnerships); (3) prevention of gender-based violence (training of providers, adaptation of standards and strengthening of safe spaces). With the reception of more than 2.81 million people from Venezuela, Colombia is one of the main receiving countries in the world. In addition, there are numerous refugees and migrants of other nationalities using Colombia as a transit country. In addition, by the end of 2023, 6.9 million Colombians were displaced within the country and more than 115,000 Colombians sought asylum outside the country, many in Spain. Cali, capital of the department of Valle del Cauca, is a central receiving city for Venezuelan migrants and internally displaced persons, especially from the Pacific region. The term "migrants" also includes refugees, asylum seekers and returnees. Cali faces the challenge of promoting the inclusive participation of vulnerable groups in social life and the labor market. Most affected are women, youth, LSBTQI+ people, ethnic minorities such as indigenous and Afro-Colombians, and people with disabilities, who often suffer multiple discriminations. The project's central objective is to strengthen the inclusive participation of migrants, women, LGBTIQ+ people, people with disabilities and other particularly vulnerable members of host communities in Colombia.

The Multi-Donor Action "Integrated Water Catchment Management and Landscape Protection (AWARE 2.0)" is cofinanced by the European Union (EU), Sweden and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ as part of the BMZ project "Integrated Water Catchment Management and Landscape Protection (AWARE 2.0)". The duration of the Action is scheduled from 1st November 2023 to 30 April 2028 (54 months), with a total budget of EUR 16.5 million (EU contribution EUR 8 million and BMZ contribution EUR 8.5 million). This Action is part of and contributes to the overall EU Action "Green Partnership and Investment Programme along the Agriculture, Forestry, Biodiversity, Water and Climate Nexus". The overall Nexus Programme aims to: Enhance resilience of ecosystems and improve people"s livelihoods based on landscape approaches along the agriculture-forestry-biodiversity-water and climate nexus; Increase participation of smallholder farmers, including women and youth farmers, in market-integrated environmentally sustainable, resilient, low carbon, circular and nutrition sensitive value chains; and Increase income opportunities through applied sustainable resource management practices by local communities. AWARE 2.0 is addressing Output 1.2 of the Nexus Programme: Enhanced capacities for watershed management, addressing forest degradation, biodiversity conservation, water resources management and climate resilience in selected target areas. Under the overall objective "to enhance resilience of ecosystems and improve people"s livelihoods in Zambia", AWARE 2.0"s specific objective is "Improved integrated management of water catchments including landscape protection with a focus on agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, water and climate". The project is organised around five major output areas, which are outlined below: - Improved capacities of the central government to execute its mandate for the integrated management of water catchments, including landscape protection with a focus on climate adaptation. - Improved capacities of decentralised authorities to plan, protect and sustainably manage water catchment ecosystems with focus on climate adaptation in the selected landscape. - Improved capacities of Water Resources Management (WRM) governance structures to sustainably manage water resource disputes in the LKSC. - Scaled-up measures for water catchment management, landscape restoration and protection, and climate adaptation. - Improved access to water resources for communities in the LKSC.

GIZ has been commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to support the ECOWAS Commission in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The main objective of the project is to strengthen the regional and national frameworks for the implementation of the AfCFTA. The project aims to achieve five major results, namely 1) The contribution of the ECOWAS Commission to the coordination of positions of its member countries in the further negotiations of the agreement on AfCFTA is strengthened. 2) The coordination among ECOWAS MS to design the technical framework for AfCFTA implementation has been strengthened. 3) The competencies of competent line ministries and the private sector in ECOWAS member countries to shape the implementation of AfCFTA provisions are strengthened. 4) Information access for member countries, private sector, and civil society on ACFTA implementation and export opportunities is improved in the ECOWAS region. 5) ECOWAS member states have expanded agreements on regional and continental climate-friendly trade in services.

Despite Iraq's macroeconomic position as an upper-middle-income country, the economic situation in Iraq is tense and employment opportunities are scarce. IDPs, refugees from neighbouring countries, as well as host communities of displaced persons in Iraq face a high level or high risk of poverty stemming from the lack of prospects for income-generating employment. These groups often have insufficient qualifications for existing jobs or the qualifications are not recognised. Lack of access to finance for entrepreneurial activities and to employment-related networks further hampers employment growth. Structural business development support for start-ups and scale-ups is rare. Existential constraints often push vulnerable labour market participants into short-term, informal jobs with no prospects for long-term decent employment. Many IDP returnee and refugee families as well as vulnerable households in general rely on small-scale farming and livestock. Most of these enterprises are small, informal, and low in productivity due to limited access to finance and structured support as well as limited equipment and water access, weak business and marketing capacity and poor market linkages. Environmental pressures reduce agricultural productivity further and make climate-smart practices and improved resource management critical. Women and people with disabilities are severely disadvantaged. Despite very low participation in the labour market, 30% of women of working age are unemployed (compared with 13% of men) and there are far fewer female than male entrepreneurs. Women account for just 11% of the working population and have less access to land and other assets as well as financial services. People with disabilities are confronted with major barriers when trying to enter the labour market, hence, many are unemployed. Women with disabilities face an almost complete exclusion from the labour market, resulting from a combination of social stigma, physically inaccessible environments, prejudice from employers, the absence of tailored trainings, a lack of understanding by government officials and further. Against this backdrop, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) commissioned the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to implement the project "Employment Prospects for Socioeconomic Integration of Refugees, IDPs and Host Communities in Iraq" (EPSI). In collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) the project aims to promote inclusive employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the country (including Federal Iraq). Its overall objective reads as follows: "The employment situation of refugees, IDPs and people from host communities has improved." The project focusses on four outputs: 1) Policy Advocacy: Raising awareness among state actors through evidence-based findings to improve the integration of refugees, IDPs and marginalised groups in host communities into labour market policy. 2) Skills for Employment: Developing market-relevant skills to enhance the employability of the target groups through vocational training and career development centres by upgrading or developing curricula and upskilling teachers. 3) Fit for Business: Building and developing entrepreneurial and business skills as well as providing financial support to Micro, Small, and MSMEs. 4) Short-term Employment Opportunities: Providing temporary employment opportunities, such as Cash for Work, for quick income generation to address the immediate financial needs of the target groups. GIZ intends to contract a service provider to contribute to fulfil output 3 in KRI. The objective of output 3 is to enhance technical and financial capacities of refugees, IDPs and vulnerable people in host communities to set up, expand or reactivate MSMEs by i.a. cooperating with local Business Development Service providers.

The project "Vaccines for Africa: Roll out and Production in South Africa" (SAVax) is part of South Africa's strategic objective to enhance the local production of vaccines, medicines, and health technologies. Co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU), SAVax aims to strengthen local manufacturing capacity in the biopharmaceutical industry and improve access to essential health products. The initiative aligns with the goals of key South African government partners, including the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the Department of Health (DoH), and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), to create a sustainable and competitive biopharmaceutical sector. The project aims at supporting selected South African biopharmaceutical companies with "ready-for-market" products, providing targeted technical assistance to improve their manufacturing capacity, and enhancing market access at national, regional, and continental levels. These companies face challenges such as market intelligence gaps, demand forecasting difficulties, high production costs, and technology transfer obstacles, which impede their ability to meet growing health needs. Addressing these challenges requires long-term strategies, including off-take agreements, purchase guarantees, and investment in technology and skills development.

Ukraine's economy has faced significant challenges due to the ongoing war, resulting in a significant GDP contraction and only a modest growth forecast of about 2% for 2025. The country is now in its fourth year of operating under wartime conditions, with over 3.6 million internally displaced people and about 5.8 million refugees as of late 2024 and October 2025 respectively. These displacements destabilize households and local economies, while repeated Russian attacks have damaged critical infrastructure, particularly in the heating and energy sectors, affecting production across various industries. Additionally, financing for companies remains constrained also due to war-related risks. Despite these challenges, Ukraine sees potential for economic and financial sector reforms driven by its EU accession aspirations. The Ukraine Plan outlines the government's vision for recovery, reconstruction, and modernisation, aiming to foster the necessary reforms for EU integration. This plan also serves as the basis for funding from the EU's Ukraine Facility, supporting reforms in the economy and financial sector until 2027. Ukraine"s financial sector is undergoing a significant transformation as part of the EU accession process, with the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) and financial sector associations playing a key role in aligning and implementing national regulation with EU requirements. The international cooperation programme STEP IN 2 EU is co-funded by the German and Norwegian Governments, and the European Union under its EU4Business initiative and implemented by the German federal company "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH". The programme aims to support the Government of Ukraine in the EU accession progress on economic chapters and create better economic conditions and financing options for Ukrainian companies to benefit from integrating into the EU single market. The overall objective of the Programme is: "The economic policy environment for the EU Single Market integration of Ukrainian businesses, including financing options, has improved." The expected outputs are: - Output 1: "The institutional capacities of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine (MEEA), National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) and other relevant actors for drafting economic policy reforms for the EU single market integration of Ukrainian businesses have been strengthened." - Output 2: "Implementation of economic policy reforms to support single market integration of Ukrainian businesses and financial institutions has improved." - Output 3: "The location-based conditions for prioritised sectors in selected regions have improved." - Output 4: "The capacity of selected financial institutions to provide financial services for Ukrainian businesses has improved." This tender covers output 1, 2 and 4 focused on technical support for Ukraine"s financial sector on its reform and EU Accession path as well as improving small and medium sized enterprises" (SME) access to financial services.