GIZ

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH provides services in the fields of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education, working around the world to shape a future worth living. GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and environment, water, health, education, peace and security. The German Government, European Union institutions, the private sector and governments of other partner countries benefit from GIZ’s services and expertise. GIZ works with governmental and private sector institutions, civil society actors and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other key areas. GIZ’s main commissioning party is the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The headquarters of GIZ are in Bonn and Eschborn. In 2016 GIZ’s business volume was around EUR 2.4 billion. Of the 18,260 staff in around 120 countries, almost 70 per cent are national personnel. As a recognised sending organisation, GIZ currently has 2,168 seconded experts, and 643 development workers in action in partner countries. In addition, the Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM), which is jointly run by GIZ and the Federal Employment Agency, placed 847 integrated and returning experts with local employers abroad while providing them with financial support and advisory services. Women account for 56.9% of the overall workforce at GIZ. (Figures as at 31 December 2016)

As a federal enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ has been supporting German-Lebanese development cooperation for more than 20 years. GIZ opened a country office in the capital Beirut in 2007 which was linked to the GIZ Office in Amman in 2012. The GIZ Lebanon currently has 51 staff working in the country.

The conflict in Syria has highly impacted Lebanon’s social situation and economic growth. The increase in Lebanon’s population due to the high influx of displaced Syrians into the country has caused more poverty, increased humanitarian needs, and exacerbated pre-existing development obstacles and socio-economic disparities in the country. The German Government is supporting Lebanon as part of its overall response to the prolonged Syrian crisis and its ramifications on the region. Mainly commissioned by BMZ with co-funding by the European Union and the Polish Government, GIZ Lebanon has been implementing development projects all over the country. Interventions are currently focusing on Education, Employment and Vocational Education, Water, and Social participation and conflict transformation.