GIZ India

🎄✨ As the year comes to an end, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and collaboration. Together, we have made remarkable strides toward sustainable development, and we look forward to continuing this journey in the coming year.  🌍🤝 This festive season, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful Christmas filled with warmth, peace, and happiness. 🎅🌟 May the New Year bring fresh opportunities, shared successes, and continued progress toward our common goals. Our social media team will be taking a well-deserved Christmas break and will return in January with inspiring updates, success stories, and valuable learnings. Until then, enjoy the festive season and recharge for an impactful 2025!

Seeds of Change: Learning from Sustainable Practices in Assam 🌾 Seeds build the foundation of agroecology, embodying #biodiversity, resilience, and sustainability in agricultural systems. Traditional and heirloom seeds, nurtured by farming communities for generations, are essential for preserving genetic diversity and adapting to changing climates. To explore how #agroecology is transforming agricultural practices, a delegation from the Government Of Assam , India and Spread NE recently visited the Kharua village in #Baksa. The learning exchange focused on the integrated farming system and the community-based seed-nursery model. During the visit, farmers demonstrated low-cost agroecological practices, widely known as community-managed natural farming. 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝: 🌱 Empowering Communities through Agroecology: Farmers reclaim their rights over traditional seeds and food systems, demonstrating 37 local food varieties central to their daily diets. 🌾 Innovative Farming Systems: Community-based seed nurseries and low-cost agroecological practices offer sustainable solutions for conserving biodiversity and enhancing resilience. 🥗 Agroecology as a Pathway towards Food Security: Embracing traditional seeds and natural farming methods fosters sustainable food systems, enhancing nutrition and resilience. The field visit highlights a transformative journey towards sustainable living in harmony with nature. Get some glimpses in the photos below. 🖼️ 👇 By advancing agroecological practices in India’s agricultural and food systems, our joint efforts align with the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (#GSDP) between #India and #Germany, where agroecology is a key area of bilateral cooperation. Learn more about our project: https://lnkd.in/gAUuPTBQ 📌 Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH | Gramya Vikash Mancha

🌞 Exciting news! We have signed an MoU on #Agrivoltaics with the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and SunSeed APV . This collaboration is a key milestone in exploring innovative solar PV solutions that address India’s growing land-use challenges while advancing renewable energy solutions. 🌱⚡ As part of this initiative, a 16.5 kW rooftop Agrivoltaics pilot project will be set up at the NISE campus in Gurugram. Together, we are driving the adoption of #RenewableEnergy solutions aligned with the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (#GSDP) between #India and #Germany. 

Advancing Sustainable Soil Governance 🌱 India faces pressing agricultural challenges, with approximately 30% of its land degraded and global droughts rising by 29% since 2000, threatening #FoodSecurity, water resources, #biodiversity, and livelihoods. While community-based governance has fostered regional action and accountability, greater investment in combating land degradation and a robust soil policy are crucial to ensuring sustainable agriculture and a resilient future. On this #ThrowbackThursday, we look back at the Conference on Sustainable Soil Governance for Agriculture in India, jointly organised with NITI Aayog and Umweltbundesamt - German Environment Agency. The Conference brought together national and international experts to review India’s soil policies and exchange best practices, offering a global perspective on sustainable soil management. The event culminated on #WorldSoilDay with a ceremony and exhibition, marking the launch of the publication ‘Healthy Soil for a Prosperous India: A Roadmap for Sustainable Soil Management’. Find the roadmap here: https://lnkd.in/gFWQpKXz 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: 🌱 Emerging Challenges in Soil Health: Increasing multi-nutrient deficiency and negative soil nutrient balance, compounded by crop residue burning and rising non-rainy days due to climate change. 💬 Policy Gaps: Current soil health policies focus on finance, markets, and biodiversity, often overlooking community perspectives. 🌾 The Importance of Healthy Soil: Central to sustained farmer incomes, nutritional security, and #ClimateChange mitigation. 📢 Call to Action: Institutions must prioritise #SoilProtection through awareness-raising initiatives and community engagement. The deliberations on soil health reflect our active efforts in driving agroecological practices and sustainable resource management through collaborative frameworks like the Indo-German Lighthouse Initiative on Agroecology and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP) between #India and #Germany. Together with our partners, we are working on innovative solutions, policy dialogues, and capacity-building initiatives to address soil degradation and ensure a resilient future for #agriculture. Learn more about our work on: 🌻 Soil Protection: https://lnkd.in/g78tmrwt 🥕 Agroecological Transformation: https://lnkd.in/gAUuPTBQ 📌  Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) | Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India | Ministry of Rural Development | NABARD - National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development | Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY - NRLM) | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH

🎉 We are excited to announce that the Indo-German Development Cooperation project ‘Sustainable Urban Mobility – Air Quality, Climate Action, and Accessibility (SUM-ACA)’ won in this year’s #GIZGenderAward! The project was recognised for its impactful work in addressing #gender disparities in #UrbanTransport and fostering inclusive #mobility solutions. In India, lack of access to safe, reliable, and affordable transport is a significant barrier preventing women from joining the workforce. #SUMACA is breaking barriers by empowering women and prioritising #GenderEquality in #UrbanMobility. Key initiatives include: 🌟 Skills Training: Women are trained as e-rickshaw drivers, creating economic opportunities and diversifying the transport sector. 🚴♀️ Cycling Advocacy: Training and other required resources for women and girls from low-income families, enabling safe, affordable mobility. 📊 Data-Driven Planning: Incorporating gender-disaggregated data to address women’s unique needs in urban mobility planning. This achievement underscores the importance of gender-sensitive urban mobility initiatives in building resilient and inclusive cities. 📖 Read more about SUM-ACA’s transformative journey (pp.10-11): https://lnkd.in/gUeUZKem 📽️ Watch the video to get deeper insights: https://lnkd.in/gHbEPmRe 👉 Learn more about the project: https://lnkd.in/ggCRFaEM Let’s continue working towards a transportation system that empowers everyone! 🚦✨

Empowering Malawi's Women Agri-Entrepreneurs through Triangular Cooperation 🤝 Triangular cooperation between #India, #Germany, and #Malawi is empowering women entrepreneurs in agribusiness. This initiative is a win-win for all: Malawi gains access to innovative #agritech solutions, fostering women-led agribusiness transformation and local economic growth; India demonstrates the scalability of its low-cost, adaptable agricultural solutions while fostering South-South cooperation; and Germany strengthens its role as a catalyst for global partnerships, promoting inclusive and sustainable development. As part of the #TriangularCooperation between the three countries, visionary women entrepreneurs from Malawi recently embarked on an inspiring learning journey to India. Partnering with renowned institutions, the initiative provided hands-on exposure to practical agribusiness strategies tailored to their local needs. The programme focused on crucial areas such as value addition, branding, market positioning, and integrating modern technologies, empowering women to drive transformative change in their communities. Through hands-on workshops and engaging discussions, participants explored innovations in food processing and sustainable farming. They acquired skills in small-scale mechanisation and customer-centered business strategies to differentiate their products in the market. Discover their experiences in the quote tiles below. 🖼️ 👇 The initiative underscores the impact of knowledge-sharing and collaboration across borders, empowering women entrepreneurs to drive change, enhance livelihoods, and foster community resilience. India and Germany are working closely together on multilateral initiatives to advance the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs) and tackle the negative impacts of #ClimateChange. Triangular Cooperation is therefore a strong pillar of the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (#GSDP) between both countries. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g2N7T-Xq #HerSuccessStories 📌 Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) | GIZ Malawi | Atal Innovation Mission Official | NITI Aayog | AIC IIT Delhi | Small & Medium Enterprises Development Institute | Ministry of External Affairs, India | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH | German Embassy New Delhi

Fostering a Community of Practice in Sustainable Spice Farming 🌿 The #spice sector, key pillar of India’s agricultural economy, faces critical challenges in balancing economic viability, social equity, and environmental #sustainability. Tackling these issues calls for a unified platform to foster collaboration, innovation, and #CollectiveAction among all stakeholders. To address this, we co-hosted a multi-stakeholder consultation workshop in #Kochi with the support of AVT McCormick Ingredients (P) Ltd and McCormick & Company. The workshop highlighted the importance of creating a #CommunityOfPractice (CoP) for sustainable spice farming. Over 50 stakeholders engaged in the spice industry gathered to explore the challenges and opportunities in establishing a #CoP for sustainable spice cultivation. The event featured engaging discussions on #CoP objectives and strategies. The diverse network of participants addressed challenges in the spice sector, envisioned the future of the Indian spice industry, and explored innovative solutions for increased sustainability in the sector. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: 🌱 Knowledge Sharing: The Spices Board India, IDH, and the World Spice Organisation (WSO), among others, shared valuable insights from their initiatives aimed at strengthening farmers’ capacities for sustainable spice production. 🤝 Vision for the CoP: The workshop highlighted the need for a dedicated platform to promote sustainable spice farming, facilitate the exchange of best practices, and scale up sustainable solutions. Participants collectively agreed to develop a roadmap for operationalising the CoP. 📋 Co-Creation: Interactive discussions provided valuable insights on key enablers for a successful CoP, including stakeholder coordination, resource mobilisation, and leveraging existing forums, networks, and platforms to host the CoP, along with identifying priority topics. Together with our partners, we are driving the adoption of sustainable farming practices across five spice supply chains, namely cardamom, cumin, celery, dill seed and turmeric, in the Indian states of #Kerala, #Karnataka, #TamilNadu, #Rajasthan, and #Haryana. These initiatives reduce environmental and social burdens while fostering sustainability in the Indian spice sector. Our aligned efforts also contribute to the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership between #India and #Germany. Learn more about our work: https://lnkd.in/gh4_i9_u 📌 Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH

Charting the Future for India’s Wetlands 🌿 India’s wetlands are vital ecosystems that play a critical role in supporting #biodiversity, enhancing climate resilience, sustaining livelihoods, and acting as natural carbon sinks. Over the past four decades, national programming for wetlands conservation has achieved significant milestones, including the designation of 85 #Ramsar sites – the largest network in Asia – and advancements in wetland mapping, management planning, and participatory approaches like the #SaveWetlandsCampaign, #AmritDharohar, #MissionSahbhagita, and #MissionLiFE. To drive these efforts forward, the National Consultation on Future Pathways for Wetland Conservation reflected on past learnings and chart future directions for India’s journey in conserving and wisely using its wetlands, with a focus on setting goals and targets for 2030. Organised in collaboration with Wetlands International South Asia, the consultation brought together a diverse network of stakeholders that discussed critical themes such as #ClimateAction, disaster risk reduction, #GenderEquality, mainstreaming nature-based solutions, and integrated approaches to wetland management. Participants emphasised the need to set ambitious, quantitative targets that reflect the multifunctional roles of #wetlands, while promoting innovative, inclusive, and multi-sectoral management. The dialogue also highlighted the enabling policy and institutional framework required to implement these targets by 2030. 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬: ⚖️ Strengthening regulatory mechanisms to support government and non-government actors, including private sector engagement 📜 Identifying opportunities for the development of a National Wetland Policy or Action Plan 📚 Expanding capacity-building initiatives 💡 Mobilising innovative financial and technical resources Together with our partners, we support these efforts to strengthen integrated wetland management and foster collaborations. Through this collective commitment, India is taking significant steps towards achieving its 2030 goals, a shared priority under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (#GSDP) between #India and #Germany. Learn more about our work: https://bit.ly/3Ar6wdV . 📌 Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, nukleare Sicherheit und Verbraucherschutz (BMUV) | International Climate Initiative | Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India | Convention on Wetlands | Wetlands International

Exploring India’s Peatlands: A Groundbreaking Assessment for Climate Action 🌿 Peatlands, often referred to as the Earth’s largest natural carbon store, play a crucial role in mitigating #ClimateChange. However, their potential remains largely untapped. To change this, we joined hands with the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India and Wetlands International South Asia. Together, we made significant strides in inventorising and assessing #peatlands across India. The team identified peatland sites across the country and conducted research for the same. This work is aimed at strengthening the implementation of 𝑨𝒎𝒓𝒊𝒕 𝑫𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒉𝒂𝒓 and the achievement of India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (#NDCs), focusing on enhancing carbon stock. To accelerate these efforts, we hosted a workshop where we presented the results of the field studies and discussed the country specific definition of peatlands. The session also led to the refinement of approaches currently used for peatland assessment, such as satellite imagery and subsequent ground truthing. Potential collaboration with research and government institutes were also explored to enhance the mapping of peatlands and further develop a roadmap to protect and manage them. Focus will now be placed on developing a national peatland management framework and identifying specific sites for restoration. This will involve close coordination with MoEF&CC and state governments to align with national priorities for sustainable development, #biodiversity conservation, and carbon mitigation. Peatlands play a pivotal role in achieving the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By enhancing carbon stock and safeguarding our natural heritage, we pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come. This engagement is also anchored in the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (#GSDP) between #India and #Germany. Let’s recognise the peatland potential of India! Learn more about our work: https://lnkd.in/gZ54a_de 📌 Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz | International Climate Initiative | Convention on Wetlands | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH

Strengthening the Public Transport System in Surat 🚍⚡ In #Surat, public transport is crucial for managing the city’s rapid urbanisation and population growth. As a key commercial hub with thriving textile and diamond industries, Surat requires an effective public transportation system. This not only reduces pollution and alleviates traffic congestion but also enhances accessibility for residents, especially low-income groups who depend on affordable transport options. In collaboration with the Surat Municipal Corporation and Surat Sitilink Limited, we hosted a workshop on ‘Public Transport Planning and Integrated Single Ticketing’, supported by the CEPT Research and Development Foundation and Deloitte as knowledge partners. The workshop brought together national and international experts who shared valuable insights and experiences on implementing efficient public #transport systems and the integration of single-ticketing solutions to improve accessibility and streamline urban transportation. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: 🚍 Transport Planning and E-Bus Strategies: The workshop focused on mobility frameworks, bus operations, effective infrastructure planning, the city’s transition towards e-busses, and the design of green deposits, promoting sustainable transport strategies. 🎫 Integrated Technology and Single Ticketing Systems: Case studies on integrated ticketing systems like Octopus, Oyster, NCMC, and Surat’s Money Card highlighted the use of digital ticketing to enhance service planning and multi-modal integration. 🌏 Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration: Participants shared insights into their innovative approaches and collaborative efforts, emphasising how partnerships and knowledge exchange are key to advancing sustainable #UrbanMobility. Our collaborative efforts in delivering decarbonised #mobility solutions are part of the Green Urban Mobility Partnership (#GUMP) between #India and #Germany. The partnership aims to promote sustainable, efficient, and inclusive urban transportation systems to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and enhance mobility for all residents. Learn more about our work: https://bit.ly/3D5fsHj 📌 Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) | Ministry Of Heavy Industries | Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) Limited | Changing Transport | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH