Changes in the international development cooperation arena have led to a continuing expansion of the spectrum of work performed by GTZ in recent years. Our organisation's core activity – providing services for various clients within the scope of international cooperation for sustainable development – is increasingly geared to societal change processes.

New forms of contract and cooperation are gaining ground, such as projects and programmes to tackle transnational problems, large-scale programmes which pool inputs from several bilateral and multilateral donors, and the organisation of international conferences. We operate in dynamic situations, where the conditions that influence our work can change rapidly. Only if our operations are not shackled by rigid planning from the outset can we bring about effective change. Flexible planning gives us the leeway to continually review our frequently diverse roles in project/programme steering and to assume, along with our political partners, the responsibility for achieving the objectives set. Harsher international competition is also forcing us to adopt new approaches to contract and cooperation management.

The range of services provided by GTZ comprises the preparation, back-up, implementation and evaluation of international cooperation for sustainable development.

When implementing contracts, we assume various roles, for example advisor, trainer, mediator or financing organisation.
GTZ's work involves a wide spectrum of modes of delivery which are applied at different levels of intervention. In line with the principle of minimum intervention they are combined flexibly so as to achieve maximum sustainable results with effective use of resources.