German development cooperation has been active in Nicaragua on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) since the mid-1980s – initially as GTZ and, since 1 January 2011, as GIZ, bringing together the services of GTZ, DED and InWEnt.

Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Latin America, after Haiti, and is currently in the process of consolidating its young democracy. However, poor governance, an inefficient state apparatus and insufficient economic growth are hampering efforts to put a rapid end to poverty. The high level of poverty is accompanied by unsustainable use of natural resources, resulting in serious environmental problems.

Against this background, the German and Nicaraguan Governments have agreed the following priority areas for cooperation:

• Environmental policy, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources
• Decentralisation, strengthening the rule of law and democracy
• Water supply and wastewater disposal

The advisory services provided through technical cooperation address the government level, institutional intermediaries (e.g. non-governmental organisations) and the target groups. This makes it possible to create a more enabling environment and ensures a needs-based approach, particularly in respect of the country’s poorer population groups.

Download

• Annual Report GTZ Nicaragua 2008
  Information on activitites and result achieved, focusing on capacity development aspects
  es-informe-GTZ-NICARAGUA-2008.pdf, 3.33 MB (Spanish)
• Annual Report Nicaragua 2009
  Information on activitites and result achieved, focusing on capacity development aspects
  2009-es-informe-cooperacion-alemana-nicaragua.pdf, 5.15 MB (Spanish)