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Dear Readers,

Germany is facing geopolitical, economic and environmental pressure, and it is rising to the challenge. The Bundestag has approved a huge investment package, a significant part of which is earmarked for climate action. A key role will be played by renewable energy – an issue close to the heart of German businesses. 

This issue of our Partners in Transformation newsletter will therefore look first at the progress we have made with the energy transition, 10 years after the Paris Agreement was adopted. What can we do if businesses, politicians and civil society work together? And what have we already achieved? 

As a global leader in the development and introduction of renewable energy, Germany is predestined to spearhead the energy transition, here and in the Global South, with know-how transfers and training, and with support to put in place green infrastructure. This was also an issue discussed at the German-African Energy Summit in Berlin in mid-March, where the Partners in Transformation were actively involved. At the parallel Energy Transition Week, two agreements for greener shipping and aviation were signed by five more companies, providing important impetus. ‘Global shipping generates more climate-damaging emissions than the whole of Germany. Aviation also contributes massively to climate change,’ pointed out Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary at the Federal Development Ministry, at the event in Berlin. ‘We laid the foundation stone in Hamburg in October. Today’s meeting marks the beginning of our efforts to translate the declarations into practice.’ 

There can be no question that the energy transition will open up opportunities for German industry, especially if we think globally and factor in the countries in the Global South. The only question is, how? In our interview on digitalisation and growth, Dr Caroline King reports on how corporate investment in developing countries pays off. She is Head of Business Development and Global Government Affairs at SAP and a member of the transformation team that is working with Partners in Transformation to put the private sector on a sustainable course. 

As Partners in Transformation, we operate where development policy meets the private sector, and support corporate engagement in developing countries and emerging economies. You will find articles on some recent examples elsewhere in this newsletter.  

We believe in the strength that comes from working together, and are devising solutions for a more sustainable future. Contact us to ensure that ideas and the will to make changes can generate genuine prospects moving forward.  

Your Partners in Transformation  

How do we shape the energy transition? Important questions and, not least, opportunities for the global economy.   (c) AdobeStock|409249485

The energy transition in 2025: an attempt to hold back the waves?
The Paris Agreement 10 years on: the USA under President Trump is once again withdrawing from the climate agreement – Germany is resetting its climate policy after the elections. Renewable energy is booming – global energy requirements are rising and pose a great challenge for the transformation. Will the energy transition succeed or are we tilting at windmills? What will be the cost to the global community? 
In our blogpost, we show how the energy transition also comes with opportunities for companies and how the Global South can serve as a model in some areas.

If the global energy transition is to succeed, we also need companies that break new ground. Current development cooperation projects show how companies can provide support and reap benefits at the same time. Find out more from these four examples:
_VIDA: Generating more green power through intelligent data analysis
_Cool White: Keeping a cool head with white paint
_NovoCrete®: Reducing emissions with innovative road-building materials
_SUNfarming: Harnessing the power of the sun

ITB Berlin: AWE, BMZ and companies support sustainable tourism 
Sustainable tourism also includes gender and inclusion. The AWE together with UN Tourism organised two events on the tourism fair ITB Berlin to bring this to the attention of the audience.  

_22 tourism enterprises sign up to the WEPs
22 German companies and industry associations signed the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) of the United Nations (UN), among them the Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (Bundesverband der Deutschen Tourismuswirtschaft - BTW) and Chamäleon Reisen (holiday travel company). This commitment to greater equality is important – because the tourism sector has a comparatively high proportion of women employees. At the same time, women in tourism often have to cope with precarious working conditions, unequal pay and limited career development opportunities. And many suffer sexual harassment. Responsibly organised tourism can help break down traditional roles, open up new career paths and smooth the way to the top for women.

The signing ceremony was attended by Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary at BMZ, Dieter Janecek, Federal Government Coordinator for the Maritime Industry and for Tourism at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), and Uta Hergenröther, Head of the Berlin Office at UN Women Deutschland. The ceremony was preceded by a series of information and discussion events specially organised by AWE and partner organisations, such as the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) and the German-African Business Association. The aim was to explore the significance of the10 Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and the strategies for their implementation and advancement, and to persuade German companies in particular to sign the WEP. 
For more on the signing of the WEPs see here.

Watch the event's recording here: ’Tourism Industry Leaders Endorse the Women's Empowerment Principles’.

_Panel discussions on barrier-free tourism and inclusive employment 
Experts from the worlds of policy-making, industry and wider society took part in two panel discussions on how to bring about barrier-free tourism and inclusive employment. There are around 80 million people with disabilities in Europe alone. More than 70% of them can afford to travel and are generally accompanied by two or three family members. This is clearly a market with considerable economic potential and many opportunities, as State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth, BMZ, pointed out in his opening speech. Travel also promotes encounters between people with and without disabilities and helps break down prejudices. The tourism sector can also offer people with disabilities a wide range of inclusive employment and income opportunities.
The two events were organised by AWE on behalf of BMZ and UN Tourism.
For more on the significance of this theme read the press release here. 

Watch the events' recordings here:

_‘Inclusive Tourism for Everyone’s Benefit’
_‘Breaking Barriers: Pathway to Inclusive Employment and Accessible Tourism’

_Women in tourism: Using potential, overcoming barriers 
At the event organised by the Import Promotion Desk (IPD) at the ITB Berlin, women experts discussed opportunities for women and how to improve these opportunities. Despite the large proportion of women in the tourism industry, the opportunities for voicing their opinions and for development are limited.
Find out more on the Community Homestay Network Nepal in the IPD article here. 
Learn more about IPD's measures to promote the economic participation of women here.

Team transformation in the spotlight: Digitalisation as a driver of inclusive growth 
Software company SAP trains people as IT professionals in countries of the Global South – and Germany could benefit from this. In the interview, Dr Caroline King, Head of Business Development and Global Government Affairs at SAP, talks about how digital innovation in Africa is pointing the way forward and why German industry should invest more. She explains how digital education opens up opportunities for young talents and outlines the role companies can play in this context. She also makes clear that Germany has to become more agile if it wants to keep up with global competition. 
Read the full interview with Dr Caroline King here. 

Mentoring for women managers: Successful start for the IPD programme 
Over 40 tandems – comprising more than 80 mentees and (female) mentors – have already been formed in the new mentoring programme launched at the end of 2024 by the Import Promotion Desk (IPD). The mentees, junior women managers, choose one of five areas – leadership, finance, marketing, gender equality or work-life-balance – in which they will receive coaching from an experienced female mentor. 
Learn more about the first encounter between Dr Esther M. Nkuba and Pamela Stenzel and about the mentoring programme in the IPD article here.

DSIK: Sustainable financial solutions for a climate-friendly future 
Sustainable financial solutions play a key role in promoting environmental and social standards. The German Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation (DSIK) supports financial institutions worldwide in developing and implementing such solutions. In so doing, it adopts a holistic approach. This includes offerings such as the Sustainable Finance Kompass analytical tool, training on sustainability strategies as well as programmes tailored to specific target groups, for example green.connect for micro enterprises and farmers.
Read more on the offerings and practical examples in the DSIK article here.

sequa: strong trade unions, strong partnerships
In January, sequa, AWE, the German trade unions DGB and GEW and the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine (TUESWU) celebrated the official start of the trade union partnerships. German Development Minister Svenja Schulze was also in attendance. The partnership between GEW and TUESWU is the first in the new programme and sends a strong signal of solidarity in practice. 
Read more about the new programme and how other trade unions can participate in the sequa article here. 

New: IHK hub – your central contact for development cooperation
SMEs that would like to work with development cooperation actors and implement sustainable business models now have a central contact in their IHK (chamber of commerce and industry). Business scout Oliver Wagener – in his role as IHK hub – supports the growth of companies in developing countries and emerging economies through the adoption of sustainable business models. The focus themes are: the energy transition, digital technologies, skilled labour recruitment/retention and sustainable supply chains.
Contact: oliver.wagener@wirtschaft-entwicklung.de  

DATES

02-03 April | Global Disability Summit 2025 | Berlin 

 - Participation per Livestream only - click here

The Global Disability Summit aims to galvanize global efforts to realize disability inclusion around the world. It is a mechanism bringing together a wide variety of high-level stakeholders, engaging and discussing the progress in disability inclusion: governments, multilateral agencies, the private sector, academia and civil society organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, and foundations.
For more information see the website here.

08 April |The German Supply Chain in a Nutshell | Online, 10:30–11:30 am

The online seminar is aimed at companies, politicians and other interested parties. It provides an overview of the key requirements of the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG). It is organised by the UN Global Compact Network Germany and the Helpdesk Business and Human Rights.

For more informationen and to register see here.

10-11 April | EU-Ukraine Business Summit | Brussels 

Companies will receive information on investment opportunities in the Ukrainian markets and possible financial aid from the EU. The programme also includes presentations by high-ranking speakers at EU level, from Italy, Poland and Ukraine.  

Further information and registration see here.

16 April (Application deadline) | lot #24: Innovative Products and Services for Persons with Disabilities in Jordan 

Companies or organisations that would like to participate in the development of needs-based sustainable business models in the following six segments are invited to apply: Domestic services, customised prosthetics and mobility aids, transport support, assistive technologies, inclusive work and employment opportunities, inclusive learning opportunities. If interesetd send an email to:

lab-of-tomorrow@giz.de

Selected applicants take part in the Ideation Sprint, which follows the methodological approach of a lab of tomorrow.

Date: 18-21 May in Amman/Jordan 

Further information can be found on the website here and in the article below.

17 April | Monthly Deep Dive: Successful Tenders and Procurement Ukraine (STEP) | 1-2 pm

The AHK Ukraine and the AWE inform in this monthly information event about current tenders in Ukraine: projects, partners, scheduling. 

Register here for participation.

Next date: 

15 May | Monthly Deep Dive: STEP | 1-2 pm

06-09 May | Intersolar Europe - Conference & Fair | Munich

_08 May, 10 am-2:30 pm | Off-Grid Power Workshop | ICM, Room 14c

Together with the German Solar Industry Association (BSW) and the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), the AWE is organising a conference session on off-grid power solutions on behalf of the BMZ at the Intersolar Europe, Munich.

The Partners in Transformation (AWE, develoPPP) will be represented with an information stand (Hall 3.09). Interesting contact options are offered by the trade fair visit of AHK and GIZ delegations from numerous countries, including Ukraine, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, India, South Africa, Algeria and Egypt.

For more informationen see the website here. 

20-21 May | Ghana-EU Business Forum | Accra
"Deepening Ghana-EU cooperation on trade and investment in non-traditional value chains under the EU Global Gateway strategy!" Under this motto, thought leaders, innovators and enthusiasts from Ghana, other African countries and Europe will come together. Inspiring presentations, panel discussions and networking are also intended to bring the respective other investment landscape closer and lay the foundation for cooperation.  

Further information and registration here.

23-24 June | TDI25 | Berlin  
The Industry Day (TDI) is the BDI's international conference on the future with impulses from business, politics, science and society. What does a new, determined agenda for growth look like? Will it succeed in unleashing the innovative power of companies?

For more information see the website here.

COOPERATION OPPORTUNITIES

lab of tomorrow - Programm for the Development of Sustainable Business Models  

The lab of tomorrow (lot) is a method that serves to systematically develop sustainable and innovative products and services that address development challenges in developing and emerging countries. A lot program relies on the expertise and resources of the private sector. Private sector companies that are participating in a lot process work in individually assembled teams, to develop needs-based solutions that are marketable, independent of long-term financing and have a positive impact on sustainable development. These teams then are also supported by experts from research, politics and civil society.  Through lot programmes, numerous products have been developed and established on the market. 

If you are a company or organisation interested in participating in a lab of tomorrow programme or would like to initiate a new one, please contact the team at: lab-of-tomorrow@giz.de or visit the lab of tomorrow website.

An overview of all Challenges you will find here.

Sample: lot #25 - Improved Solid Waste Management Solutions in Jordan 
The Ideation Sprint in April is carried out with around 60 participants from different companies and organisations. In six teams, they develop business models for the defined areas. More than 100 applications received were a record. Many thanks to all those interested!

Reconstruction of Ukraine 

A summary of current tenders see our website here.

You can find an overview and a brief description of the Partners in Transformation programme here.