Europe

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has brought into sharp focus the relevance of peace and security in Europe too. akzente reports from the heart of the EU, from the individual European states, and on Europe’s partnerships with the wider world.

GIZ/Iris Felicia Haidau

‘Investment in our common future’

Heidy Rombouts, Director General of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, in an interview on Belgium’s EU Council Presidency

‘Inspiring women’

The three women presidents of the human rights courts in Africa, Europe and the Americas in an akzente interview.

Top trio for human rights

A signal for equality: since the start of 2024, all three regional human rights courts have been led by women.

‘A historical chance to build a powerful region’

Lviv, revisited: In 2020, akzente spoke with its mayor Andriy Sadovyj for the first time. Since the Russian invasion, his world is a different one.

Ukraine’s will to forge its own path is unbroken

When Russia launched its war of aggression on Ukraine, GIZ was able to provide rapid and effective assistance because of our presence throughout the country. Since then, we have been combining rapid assistance with reconstruction and advice on reforms. By Daniel Busche, GIZ Country Director in Ukraine

‘The nation as a whole will need support’

Valentyna Mazhbits works at the Berlin Charité for the Solomiya Hospital Partnership project to support psychiatric hospitals in Ukraine.

‘How do we reach people?’

A pilot project in Kosovo shows how behavioural science can help to improve tax compliance.

From homemade yoghurt to dairy director

Over the past 20 years Ymer Berisha has overcome many obstacles to build one of Kosovo’s most successful milk-processing companies.

Valeria und ihr Bruder Nikita auf dem Weg zur Schule

Through the eyes of a child

Stray dogs, muddy paths and dangerous crossings are just some of the challenges Ukrainian children face on their way to school.

‘A successful EU Council Presidency – in spite of the pandemic’

Tanja Gönner, Chair of the GIZ Management Board, looks back at Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Her conclusion? A lot was achieved in the face of the pandemic.

Cucumbers wait for no one

Every day counts when it’s harvest time. There’s now a quick and easy way to register seasonal workers at the Ostić farm in Serbia using an app.

One team, more clout

Born out of the coronavirus crisis, the Team Europe concept now serves as a blueprint for EU-wide development cooperation.