Rural Territorial Development

projekt beendet

BackgroundIntegrated development approaches in rural areas have once again taken on an important role in the international dialogue on poverty reduction. The 2008/2009 food crisis in particular has focused public interest once again on rural areas. It became evident that rural development is a key factor to fighting hunger and poverty and it has a role to play in reaching the global development goals. The 1/2011 Strategy Paper of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) entitled ‘Rural development and its contribution to food security’ clearly underscores this. The rising number of countries classified as fragile, either in full or in part, and that are affected by conflict, crisis or war, places additional demands on development cooperation.The development of rural areas is one of BMZ's priority areas for support. Strategies for rural development, however, are often inadequately coordinated and adapted by international donors. As a result, information which could guide interventions is often not adequately available. However, policy-makers and specialised organisations that head up implementation rely on up to date technical advice and information, and the exchange of knowledge and experience.ObjectiveThe project aims to further develop concepts and instruments used in German development cooperation to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development in rural areas. Adaptation to the frame conditions, objectives and specific needs of the partner countries is essential to allow for their implementation.ApproachThe project advises BMZ and BMZ-funded projects development projects. It cooperates with relevant national and international partners and their technical working groups as well as executing institutions to support the adaptation and dissemination of concepts and instruments. In terms of knowledge management there is systematic cooperation with international networks and the GIZ sectoral structure. Main areas of intervention are advisory services, further development of concepts and instruments to augment the BMZ strategy for rural development and support to human capacity development. The project operates supra-regional and provides its services primarily through short- and long-term experts. In consultation with BMZ, German and international partners are granted funding for agreed measures.ResultsSector projects have the task of advising and supporting BMZ on technical issues. In contrast to programs in partner countries, the results of sector projects often benefit the partner countries only indirectly rather than directly.The project contributes to the refinement and implementation of concepts and instruments for rural and territorial development and documents best practices. It also supports ‘alternative development’ as specific rural development approach in areas where drug cultivation is an issue. Concepts and lessons learnt are presented at national and international forums as part of the German contribution to rural development, and are made available to a broader audience through the BMZ's communication channels. Guidelines for ‘alternative development’ have been adopted at EU and UN level (EU Drugs Strategy and Drugs Action Plan, UN Guiding Principles). Rural development concepts are incorporated in a wide range of projects designs in the partner countries (e.g. Ethiopia, Peru, Myanmar, etc.) and under implementation. Research and training institutions have integrated concepts and lessons learnt in regional training curricula, contributing to further dissemination.

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