GTZ has been operating in the Republic of the Philippines since 1971 on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Sandwiched between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines is an archipelago of 7,000 islands and home to a population with highly diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Of all Asian countries, the Philippines has the largest population of Christians in Asia, as well as a Muslim minority. The country still faces several challenges, such as the highest population growth rate in the region, significant disparities between rich and poor, high migration to the cities, insufficient access to education and primary health care, an extremely high unemployment rate and widespread poverty. Another serious developmental problem confronting the Philippines is the decreasing productivity and rising scarcity of natural resources, especially drinking water, forest resources and fisheries. The law does not discriminate against women in terms of their economic and social development; on the contrary, they play a significant role in all sectors. Nevertheless, violence against women is a widespread problem.