Project Progress Review of GIZ’s Energy Policy in Development Program

Project context

Managed by the international enterprise Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Energy Policy in Development program supports Germany’s national and international policy in the field of energy. The different teams of the program mainly advise the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development on questions of international energy policy.

Improving access to energy among the poor is a main priority for the GIZ and German development cooperation. Specifically, the strategy is to support the development and dissemination of renewable energy production and energy efficiency in developing countries. To this end, the GIZ program supports the German government through policy consulting, strategy development and facilitation of dialogue with international partners and initiatives. It also helps to integrate Germany’s position on this topic into the work of international organizations and aims to foster cooperation on energy related issues among multilateral organizations, the private sector and civil society. Further, through the Energy Policy in Development program, GIZ supports the German government in its work with organizations such as IRENA, the EU Energy Initiative, Ren21 or the private sector.

Among other activities, the program prepares information and publications for decision makers and provides strategic and policy advice for German ministries in the field of energy. It thus aims to inform Germany’s and international policies to increase access to energy and sustainable use of renewable energy sources.

Project objectives

The GIZ asked GPPi researcher Elias Sagmeister to support an internal progress review that assessed the Energy Policy in Development program with regards to past performance, strategy, coherence and potential for future improvement. The review asked whether the advice that the program generated for the German ministries has been feasible and whether it has reached its goals. Moreover, the review looked at the current setup of the program and its ability to react to newly emerging topics in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

This process allowed responsible staff and partners to critically reflect on past achievements and the changing needs of its client and main funder, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Through workshops, interviews and a document study, the review suggested potential adaptations for the second phase of the program from 2012-2015.

For more information on this project, please contact Elias Sagmeister.