Business Scouts for Development Programme

Business Scouts for Development work as development policy experts in around 40 countries across the globe. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ), they advise German, European and local companies on development policy matters and promote responsible business engagement through cooperation projects. The Business Scouts for Development work closely with partners from business associations and institutions and from TVET organisations both in Germany and in each country.

The Business Scouts for Development promote sustainable and responsible engagement by the private sector in around 40 countries across the globe. They are development policy ex-perts who advise German, European and local companies on the opportunities for promotion, financing and cooperation available through German and European development cooperation, facilitate networking with potential partners and initiate cooperation projects. In addition, by supporting business and learning partnerships, the transfer of expertise and targeted support for trade fair participation they not only generate new opportunities for trade but also improve prospects for local job creation.

Within Germany the Business Scouts provide advice directly through Germany’s top busi-ness associations, such as the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), the Federation of German Industries (BDI), the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) and the Federation of German Wholesale and Foreign Trade (BGA), as well as through chambers of commerce and industry, chambers of crafts and trades, industry asso-ciations, state-level associations and – in cooperation with Engagement Global – foundation organisations. In the partner countries they are either integrated into German development cooperation offices or work at German Chambers of Commerce Abroad and Delegations of German Industry and Commerce. The experts therefore bridge the gap between the private sector and development cooperation; companies have better access to new markets, and sustainable development in partner countries receives a boost. The programme is being im-plemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).