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The GIZ Story Portal

Welcome to the GIZ Story Portal. We invite you to explore GIZ’s work worldwide, get to know fascinating people, and learn about leading experts’ views on crucial topics in international cooperation.

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Report

AI for climate resilience meets local know-how

A visit to remote islands in the Indonesian archipelago, where artificial intelligence experts are working with coastal communities to strengthen climate resilience and build digital expertise. GIZ is supporting this special initiative.
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Six people posing together for a group photo, one person in the center holding a sign reading "#TEAMEUROPE".
Interview

‘Europe is a global forward-looking partner’

Michal Minčev heads the Czech Development Agency. In our interview he talks about new geopolitical realities, the need to pool resources and Europe’s position in the world.
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Infografic

For a resilient Ukraine

Since 24 February 2022, Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia’s large-scale war of aggression – with military and civilian support from Germany. GIZ is heavily involved in civilian efforts. Our infographic shows the results.
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Looking for our akzente web portal?

The akzente web portal no longer exists under this name. But we are still reporting fascinating stories – here in the story portal.

Current Topics

Background

No hydrogen, no energy transition

Green hydrogen may not be the answer to every problem, but it is an essential building block for the energy transition. Jörg Baur explains why and outlines GIZ’s role in the development of a global hydrogen economy.

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Background

‘Nature’s not interested in geopolitics’

Biodiversity is crucial to our future and needs to stay on the global agenda. GIZ biodiversity expert Silke Spohn joins us to look at how biodiversity is faring.
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In einem dichten, von Sonnenlicht durchfluteten Blätterdach ist eine gut getarnte Schlange mit hervorschauendem Kopf auf einem Ast versteckt.
Feature

A matter of justice and dignity

In order for Syrians to rebuild their country in a just and stable manner, the property rights of refugees and displaced persons must be secured. Together with partners, GIZ has created an important basis for this to happen.

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Illustration einer Frau fragmentierte grafische Flächen

Introducing: Faces of GIZ

Eine Frau mit blonden, lockigen Haaren steht auf einem Balkon, trägt ein schwarzes, gemustertes Spitzenoberteil und lächelt leicht, im Hintergrund ist üppiges tropisches Grün mit Blüten und einem bewölkten Himmel zu sehen.

Hello from Niamey

I’m Natalie Naeser. I work for GIZ in Niger, where I manage the Sahel Resilience Strengthening project.
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Ein Mann mit kurzem Bart und brauner Jacke steht vor einer bunten Wandmalerei, die eine Person mit mehreren Hunden an der Leine zeigt.

Hello from Kyiv

My name is Maksym Vernyhora and I am working on a GIZ mental health project in Ukraine.
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Martin Neumann Porträt

Hello from the forest

My name is Martin Neumann. I focus on sustainable forest management in the Sectoral Department.
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Supporting diversity across borders

Silhouette of a praying person under a dramatic sky, with the text “Boundless Love – When love crosses borders” and a rainbow-colored heart.
The online exhibition ‘Boundless Love: When Love Crosses Borders’ tells the moving stories of LGBTIQ+ people who have had to leave their home countries. The exhibition explores their journeys and looks at overcoming fear, rejection and violence. People from different countries were looking for a safe place, and found it in Serbia. Here, they were supported by the Rainbow Migration Network (RMN), an alliance of civil society organisations.
© Sever Zolak/RMN
Blurry scene with a person in front of a bookshelf, where a book titled “Human Rights” is clearly visible.
The exhibition was initiated by the Rainbow Migration Network. The network is currently being supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) as part of a project to prevent and tackle the smuggling and trafficking of human beings in the Western Balkans. The RMN is an example of Germany’s commitment to LGBTIQ+ rights in international cooperation. Some of the LGBTIQ+ people who have experienced displacement and received support have spoken anonymously.
© Sever Zolak/RMN
A real person embraces a female bronze statue, with the human and statue hands placed parallel on the back.
‘I left my home country to escape persecution, seeking a life where my identity as an LGBTIQ+ person wouldn’t put me in danger. Where I come from, concepts like democracy and human rights are not just distant ideas – they’re completely foreign.’
© Sever Zolak/RMN
A person stands in the shadow of a tree, their face completely hidden by dense green leaves.
‘Life in Serbia is not without its challenges, but it is a far brighter place for me than Iran ever was. Here, I have found something I thought I’d lost forever – a sense of belonging.’
© Sever Zolak/RMN
Close-up of a brown eye illuminated by warm light, with reddish hair in the foreground.
‘For years, I was trapped in a cycle of fear and rejection. But through it all, I’ve learned something powerful: love can heal. The love I’ve found in supportive communities, the care I’ve received from organisations, and the hope that one day I will live freely have all given me the strength to keep going.’
© Sever Zolak/RMN
A person stands in front of a projection of a cityscape with a river, with the image cast onto their back.
‘Love, I’ve come to realise, is what has carried me through all these borders – helping me find a home, not just in a new country, but within myself. Helping me get out of the shadow and find a whole new magical palette of colours.’
© Sever Zolak/RMN
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