In the region of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, GIZ (former GTZ) has participated in just under 100 development partnerships since 1999, with total funding of around EUR 25 million. More than half of these funds went to measures for sustainable economic development. A further 15 per cent were for agricultural projects, with another 10 per cent each for environmental and energy projects.

The following examples are a small selection from the wealth of different measures.

• Training programme on the efficient implementation of improvements to district heating (Romania)
  High energy consumption, but little heat: a problem facing many Romanian households. However, with support from Germany, experts from Romanian energy providers are gradually developing their skills in constructing an efficient district heating system.
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• Capacity Development for sustainable energy and climate policy in central and eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia
  The major adverse effects of climate change predicted for Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia demand decisive action.
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• Developing youth tourism (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
  Youth tourism is one of the most promising economic sectors for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which still show the marks of the war. In the framework of a development partnership, Green Visions and GIZ are developing a new concept that will boost tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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• Improved commercialisation and privatisation of municipal services in the waste industry (Serbia)
  Serbia’s waste industry is still in its infancy. Under this project, a modern waste disposal system is being introduced in a number of municipalities in the Braničevo region, in which refuse is collected separately, processed and disposed of. A new environmental awareness has now evolved in Braničevo, and the number of unlicensed landfills is falling.
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• Introduction of a uniform model for improving working conditions in the purchasing markets of German retailing in selected countries
  Together with a subsidiary of the Foreign Trade Association of the German Retail Trade (AVE), GIZ is implementing a uniform process in eleven countries (including Turkey) to bring the social situation of employees in firms supplying the German retail trade into line with European social standards.
• Waste separation, collecting and reprocessing recyclables in the tourist region of Herzegovina
  Illegal waste disposal on unauthorised sites is an obstacle for the development of tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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