A life of poverty is a life without dignity. The poor have very limited access to markets, resources, information and services. Participation in economic, political and social life is largely denied them. This makes the poor particularly vulnerable to risks, and they are therefore often hardest hit by economic, environmental or political crises. Insufficient opportunity to organise and to articulate their interests coupled with open and disguised discrimination exacerbate the inequalities and consolidate the causes of poverty.

The joint aim of both developing and donor countries is to reduce poverty worldwide. The common fight against poverty is influenced by many factors, and it can be won only through harmonised and coordinated action on the part of all stakeholders. Solutions become possible when the problems are viewed in the overall context.

GIZ therefore regards poverty as a cross-cutting issue that must be anchored in all our activities. At national and international level, cooperation between the various policymaking areas and institutions must be improved. It is essential that the countries affected recognise the various causes of poverty so that they can develop and implement effective poverty reduction strategies. Key factors for success are:

• sustainable economic growth
• fair distribution of resources and services
• improved governance.

GIZ supports partners in developing countries as well as BMZ, other ministries and international organisations. This support is focussing on strategies for broad-based growth, the implementation of national poverty reduction strategies, poverty-oriented results monitoring and policy monitoring.

More on GIZ’s work and objectives in the area of poverty reduction: