With some 160 projects to date and over EUR 50 million in funds received Latin America ranks third in GIZ (former GTZ) development partnerships. PPP projects. Most projects since 1999 were focused on improving the quality of the environment. This was followed by agricultural projects and measures for sustainable economic development.

The following are a small selection of the range of GIZ projects in Latin America.

• Using pressure management to reduce water loss (Peru)
  Unregistered connections, water meters that are defective, leaks and burst pipes result in a large discrepancy between the volume of water fed into the system and the amount of drinking water charged to the end consumer.
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• Energy Recovery from Biogas and Energy Efficiency in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants (Brasil)
  With the help of German technology and know-how, the Brazilian water utility COPASA is improving the efficiency of its plant and equipment, primarily by recovering energy from sewage sludge. The facilities are now operating more economically and emitting substantially less greenhouse gases.
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• Wild Cocoa from Amazonas
  In the Amazonas region of Brazil, the local population harvests and markets wild cocoa certified as organic. The pickers improve their income and help to protect the rainforest.
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• Sustainable waste management in the tourism sector of the Mexican Caribbean
  Hotels in the Mexican Caribbean seek to exercise sustainable waste management. Tourists have to be made aware of the waste issue.
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• Plan for waste prevention and integrated management of the waste industry in Altamira, Tamaulipas
  In the municipality of Altamira in the south of the Mexican federal state of Tamaulipas, BASF and GIZ (former GTZ) are working on pioneering waste management. They are assisting the municipality in training waste experts and helping introduce a modern management system in compliance with environmental regulations and standards.
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• Helping small farmers adjust to climate change
  Climate change is destroying the basis for life for many people, particularly in developing and emerging nations. Small farmers and their families are particularly affected. Cafédirect, one of the largest global chains for fair traded coffee, tea and cocoa, is developing strategies together with the growers for adapting to the changed environmental conditions.
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• Sustainable collection in the wild, biotope preservation and cultivation of the endangered Andean homeopathic plant ratanhia.
  Ratanhia is a traditional homeopathic plant in the Andes countries. Its antiinflammatory effect is also appreciated in many industrialised nations, where it is used primarily in dental care products. A joint project with Weleda has produced a transferrable model which can sustainably protect the endangered plant varieties all over the world.
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