Practical Experience in Multi-Sectoral Approaches in Incorporating Population Dynamics in German International Cooperation

Christine Schuster, German International Development Cooperation
Elke Loichinger, Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB)

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) and the University of Koblenz-Landau have since 2016 been cooperating in the Demography for Development Planning (D4DP) initiative. This partnership aims at policy integration of demographic trends, putting research findings into practice and improving the use of demographic data in planning for various sectors. In order to facilitate harnessing the demographic potential, German Development Cooperation (GDC) has developed specific approaches with local partners. Pilot experiences have shown promising results in demography-sensitive policy design, improved data use and management, multi-sectoral cooperation, human capacity development and interregional dialogue. Currently, GDC is conceptualizing methods for broad stakeholder engagement and political dialogue on using National Transfer Account data for development planning with UNFPA and for strategic competency development for population councils and municipal planners in coordination and communication of demographic information.