akzente 3/2021 The GIZ Magazine Every dose counts Chilled vaccines for Malawi Frozen sunlight Sustainable fishing in Indonesia A well of cooperation Distributing water fairly in Central Asia Green Recovery For a green future

Editorial GREEN IMPETUS How we should use the post-COVID-19 era to change course towards sustainability. focus’ section shows how green recovery works and where it is already taking place, providing an overview of green activities across the globe. A GUEST ARTICLE by Indonesia’s Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, de- scribes the financial incentives and general conditions that her country has created to accelerate the transition. In an interview with Andrea Meza Murillo, Costa Rica’s Environment Minister, we find out how her country aims to harness the crisis, particu- larly to promote sustainable mobility. And finally, Member of the Management Board Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven discusses where and how GIZ is promoting a green recovery – for example in Colombia, where GIZ is helping to incorporate green approaches into the COVID recovery programme. ALL THE ARTICLES have one thing in com- mon: they very clearly advocate a move away from our old fossil fuel-reliant world in favour of truly embracing change. They also show that there is no blueprint for this, however, and that each country needs to find its own green path. GIZ sees its task in supporting other countries on this path towards sustainability. That is true now – during the COVID-19 pandemic – more than ever. Find out more in this issue about how the world is preparing for what comes after the pandemic. I hope it makes for an illuminat- ing read. CYCLE PATHS in Mexico, water efficiency in Bolivia, bamboo beds in Ethiopia, green spaces in Kenyan towns and cities and wetland conservation in India – across the globe, everything is pointing towards sus- tainability. So far, nowhere near as much money has been invested in this transition as people had hoped and would like to see, but there are indications from all over the world that, although the COVID-19 pan- demic has caused a great deal of suffering, it has also prompted change. IN FACT, the pandemic has confronted us with huge challenges but at the same time offers the opportunity to pursue the Sus- tainable Development Goals (SDGs) with greater determination than before. Since 2015, these goals have formed the compass that guides the international community and it has now become clear that human life on Earth can only be preserved in the long term if we consistently pursue them. The billions earmarked for COVID-19 stimu- lus packages now open up the opportunity to push this agenda more forcefully than has been the case to date. That will create numerous advantages: greater investment in cutting-edge technologies, reduction in harmful emissions, preservation of biodi- versity, protection of water resources – all combined with more employment and less poverty. The energy transition alone has the potential to create around 100 million new jobs throughout the world by the middle of the century. GREENER AND FAIRER – those are the goals of post-COVID-19 recovery. Many countries, particularly in poorer areas of the world, are still in the very midst of efforts to fight the pandemic, but signs of a new start can be seen in several places. This issue’s ‘In . ) 3 P ( L E G O V A I R A M / N E F A R G O T O F F O H E I . D , ) 2 P ( Z I G : S O T O H P akzente 3/21 3 SABINE TONSCHEIDT, Director of Corporate Communications sabine.tonscheidt@giz.de

Contents SNAP SHOT Sign of the times In Bilbao, a hyperrealist installation is attracting attention. p. 38 PERSPECTIVES Mother courage Four voices from Colombia’s LGBT community describe their difficult journey towards peace. p. 44 O F N I E T N E Z K A , Y T I L I B A N I A T S U S 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 ) T H G I R W O L E B , 5 . P ( Z I G , ) T F E L W O L E B , 5 . P ( R E G A L H C S A D D E , ) T H G I R E V O B A , 5 . P ( O B S É R D N A , ) T F E L E V O B A , 5 . P ( S R E T U E R : S O T O H P INTRODUCING Hello from Abuja and Una welcome o! Hans-Ludwig Bruns talks about his work in Nigeria. p. 50 REPORT A well of cooperation Water is a precious resource in Central Asia. Fair distribution is key to stability in times of climate change. A trip to Uzbekistan p. 40 DIGITAL AKZENTE Our magazine is also available online in an optimised form for mobile devices. akzente.giz.de/en akzente 3/2021 The GIZ Magazine Every dose counts Chilled vaccines for Malawi Frozen sunlight Sustainable fishing in Indonesia A well of cooperation Distributing water fairly in Central Asia Green Recovery For a green future akzente 3/21 5

News “Peace is possible. Peace is necessary. Peace is the only pathway to a sustainable future. ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, Secretary-General of the UN Farewell visit BONN Before taking up his post at the United Nations, the outgoing Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller paid another visit to GIZ at the Bonn Campus Forum at the end of October. His assessment after two terms in of- fice and around eight years of cooper- ation was positive: ‘Regardless of whether the topic is nutrition, gener- ating prospects through employment, or health, we see time and time again that development policy is peace poli- cy. That is why it is so important that our challenging work and, above all, the impacts it has, become even more visible and are understood and appre- ciated even more. Because what we do makes sense. I would therefore like to express my respect and thanks to everyone at GIZ and particularly to those who work in dangerous situa- tions – and their families.’ GIZ’s three managing directors and 50 other staff members spent 90 minutes discussing these issues with Gerd Müller. They focused on the challenges and success- es of the ONE WORLD – No Hunger initiative, GIZ’s work in conflict-af- fected countries and the vastly more difficult conditions under which the company has had to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. ) 7 . P ( H C S Z T N E R N A I L U J : N O I T A R T S U L L I , ) 7 . P ( Z I G , ) 6 . P ( Z I G : S O T O H P akzente 3/21 7 THREE QUESTIONS FOR DR ELYSEE AMA BONSU KARIKARI-AGYEMAN is a pharmacist from Ghana and former chair of the Community Practice Pharmacists’ Association (CPPA). She took part in a training session on COVID-19 vac- cines organised by GIZ on behalf of BMZ and is now sharing her knowledge. How is the training helping to fight COVID-19 in Ghana? After months of waiting, we finally took delivery of the first batch of vaccines in March 2021. Since then, we have been receiving vaccines from various sources, including COVAX. Ghana’s strategy involves vaccinating particularly vulnerable population groups first, such as health care staff and the over- 60s. The training has helped us feel confident in handling the vaccines because we maintain the cold chain and protect ourselves appropriately. How can you boost confidence in the vaccine? As an advisor in the health sector, I stress that the vaccine is safe. Some people have religious or po- litical reservations, but now we can tell them about the advantages and possible side effects of the vaccination. Studies confirm that the vaccination is necessary and effective. We report possible side ef- fects to Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority. How are you passing on the information from the training? We are training pharmacists to administer the vac- cination. Ghana’s 5,000 pharmacists form an impor- tant network, particularly in rural areas.

News Water for rural India INDIA A total of 600 million people in India already suffer from water scar- city. The Indian subcontinent is one of the regions most severely affected by climate change and the situation looks set to deteriorate. On behalf of BMZ, GIZ is implementing a water resources management project to support climate change adaptation in five of India’s largest states. More than 5,000 staff at public and private institutions in the sector are undergoing training to plan and implement integrated water management. In addition, small- holder farmers are learning to use water more sparingly, making them bet- ter equipped to face the impacts of climate change. Initial successes are already apparent: more than 5,300 local authorities have used digital tech- nologies to plan relevant measures on site. By storing water, an extra 100 million cubic metres of this valuable resource are to be made available for use in households and agriculture. This can help reduce the excessive re- moval of groundwater. NEW PROJECTS INDIA Official languages: Hindi, English / Capital: New Delhi / Form of government: Parliamentary democracy / Population: 1.4 billion / Population density: 464.1 per km2 / Human Development Index ranking: 131 (out of 189) INDIEN Sources: UN, World Bank Green energy supplier Automotive sustainability Resilient growth SUPRAREGIONAL Sustainably produced hydrogen could replace oil as a fuel source in future. On behalf of the Ger- man Federal Foreign Office, GIZ is sup- porting major oil-producing countries in adapting to this innovative energy car- rier. It is advising Angola, Nigeria, Rus- sia and Saudi Arabia on the opportuni- ties and challenges involved in produc- ing, using and exporting the new raw material. The project also promotes di- alogue and knowledge sharing between the actors. RWANDA Electric tractors with batteries charged using solar power could replace diesel tractors in Africa. On behalf of BMZ, GIZ is supporting the National Uni- versity of Rwanda in conducting research and developing an electric tractor with Volkswagen. Decentralised solar panels are to be used not only to charge the batteries for the electric tractors, but also to provide power for other agricul- tural activities and services. Farmers will be able to hire the communal e-tractor using an app. NEPAL The agriculture sector provides em- ployment for two thirds of the Nepalese population. The impacts of climate change are hitting them particularly hard. Crop growing and value chains urgently need to be adapted. On behalf of BMZ, the EU and Finland, GIZ is promoting climate-resilient green economic growth in the provinces of Sudurpashchim and Karnali in western Ne- pal. The aim is to strengthen climate-resil- ient practices and to promote networking between stakeholder groups to enable them to share and expand their knowledge. ) E R T N E C , 9 . P ( W V , ) 9 . P ( ) 2 ( O T O H P K C O T S I / S E G A M I Y T T E G , ) 8 . P ( Z I G : S O T O H P akzente 3/21 9

Every dose counts

Every dose counts vices with user-friendly digital tools. It was initiated by winners of the GIZ Innovation Fund. The emmunize project was developed by a global team of health experts, doctors, environmental engineers and political scientists who specialise in off-grid cold chain technol- ogy and green cooling solutions designed to protect the climate and the environment. These innovations are now being used around Bilira: the cool box sensors wirelessly monitor the temperatures of carriers through- out mobile outreach sessions and send live data to an app. ‘This will help us a lot because we will be sure that the vaccines are always kept at the right temperature,’ says Samuel. The emmunize app is linked to Malawi’s new electronic patient register, which is also being tested in the Bilira region. While Wel- lington Chafulumira is vaccinating the children, his colleague Oli- pah Chabwera sits with a tablet in front of her, calling up a child’s records on the electronic patient register and updating them with information about the jabs they have just received. In the past, vaccination records were kept manually, and it was often difficult for health workers to access paper records or keep them up to date. The old records were impractical and not always to hand. Now, however, the emmunize app stores and updates all of the key information on children’s immunisation schedules and allows easy tracking of outstanding vaccines. It also helps health workers to plan outreach sessions more effectively since it generates more accu- rate attendance lists and calculates the amount and type of vaccines required for specific clinics in the communities. MALAWI Capital: Lilongwe / Population: 18.6 million / Economic growth: 0.8 per cent (estimate for 2020) / Human Development Index ranking: 174 (out of 189) Source: World Bank Lilongwe MALAWI akzente 3/21 13

Every dose counts In Bilira, the medical team is proud of the digital innovations. ‘We were chosen for the pilot because Bilira was a fairly typical rural health centre with basic facilities and poor power supplies,’ says Em- manuel Gawanika, Senior Health Surveillance Assistant. ‘Now it is to become a centre of excellence for improved services and data col- lection – setting an example for others.’ The electronic patient register, which is being tested for a poten- tial rollout throughout the country, is currently already in use at Bilira’s paediatric clinic, in antenatal and postnatal care and in the delivery room. Staff have been equipped with handheld tablets. In addition to keeping medical records, the integrated system also pro- vides simple treatment guidelines, based on WHO standards, which help with timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment. At the health centre in Bilira, a shelter for vaccinating children under five has also been built and is equipped with an environmen- tally friendly solar-powered refrigerator (SolarChill) that works without batteries. It is used to store vaccine doses before they are transported to the villages in the cool boxes. Health workers are be- ing trained on how to use and maintain the equipment to ensure its long-term operation. The installation of solar panels means that power blackouts can be avoided. ADDED VALUE FOR HEALTH GIZ is supporting Malawi’s Ministry of Health in setting up a pioneering electronic patient register. Commissioned by BMZ, the project receives funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It is cooperating with Jembi, a South African non-governmental organisation that develops digital trans- formation programmes for the health sector, and the IT company Ona, which is devising open source solutions to adapt the system to Malawi’s existing digital structures. The Health Information System Programme (HISP) Malawi, which is responsible for introducing the health information system (DHIS2), is also involved in the project. Integrating the electronic patient register into this national health information system will be extremely useful, as it will mean that more precise data is rapidly available that can be used both for nationwide statistics and for work carried out by experts at local level. 50 per cent fewer wasted vaccines Contact: Kai Straehler-Pohl, kai.straehler-pohl@giz.de For Samuel Mtalimanja, the changes in Bilira have already started to have a visible impact. The number of vaccine doses that have to be disposed of due to cooling and storage problems has halved. This means that more doses are available, which is helping to pro- tect babies and toddlers more effectively. ‘We used to run out of vaccines every month in the past. But now the e-register makes it easier to plan and order the vaccines we need to avoid stockouts,’ Samuel explains. Although the e-register and the emmunize app are currently only in use in Bilira, Stephen Macheso, Director of Health and Social Services in the district of Ntcheu, believes both patients and health workers have benefited enormously. ‘This is the way to go for the whole country. We need to move quickly in this direction to make sure the whole health system becomes more effi- cient and effective.’ As the sun dips in the sky over Kalungama, Samuel Mtalimanja and his colleagues pack up after a long day of vaccinations. The im- provements brought about by the emmunize app and the cooling system mean that the vaccines are used effectively. Mothers carry their sleepy babies on their backs to their huts, happy that they are part of a new way to improve the health of babies, toddlers and mothers in Malawi. — ‘The monitored cool boxes will help us to keep COVID vaccines cool and get them out into remote villages.’ ) T H G I R , 5 1 . P ( A K I N A W A G L E U N A M M E : O T O H P RUTH EVANS is a freelance journalist specialising in development and health topics. She writes articles and produces podcasts and radio documentaries, including for BBC Radio, and has received several media awards for her work. SAMUEL MTALIMANJA, Senior Disease Control Officer at Bilira Health Centre in Malawi Read an interview with him at akzente.giz.de/en akzente 3/21 15

ESSAY Green and fair Why it is so important to build sustainability and social justice into our economies after the pandemic. p. 18 GUEST ARTICLE Greening the economy Indonesia’s path towards a sustainable future, summarised by Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati p. 22 REPORT Frozen sunlight How renewable energy can boost the local economy in Indonesian fishing villages. p. 26 INFOGRAPHIC The signals are on green Which developments are already sustainable, and where there is an urgent need for a rethink. p. 30 INTERVIEW ‘We cannot go back to the old normal’ Costa Rica’s Environment Minister Andrea Meza Murillo on her country’s ambitious goals p. 32 BACKGROUND Drawing the right conclusions An analysis by Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, GIZ Managing Director p. 36 EXAMPLES OF GIZ’S WORK Green with a social impact One goal, many paths. How GIZ is working to build sustainable economies rooted in social justice. p. 37

Essay Green and fair The stated goal of the international community following the pandemic is to change course and embrace forms of economic activity that are sustainable and socially equitable. Our essay explains why that is important and where it is already happening. Text ULRIKE SCHEFFER Illustrations FLORIAN BAYER I n Lima it is hard not to spot Edgar Fernández. Among the countless vans and trucks jostling through the streets of Peru’s capital in a cloud of exhaust fumes, the young coffee roaster uses a yellow zero emissions cargo bike to transport his wares, some 70 kilos of raw coffee beans. Once the beans have been roasted, he jumps back on his bike to deliver the finished product to his customers. The pandemic struck Peru with great ferocity and continues to wreak havoc. Yet even in the toughest moments, Edgar’s business boomed. He was able to continue delivering coffee directly even when the shops were closed. Looking ahead, he will have to fight off the competition again, but this is a busi- ness model with a bright future. The beans come from small local farms. In fact, Edgar’s business brings together many of those key elements that we need to embrace, including sustainability, environmental conservation and fairness. IN THIS ARTICLE 1. THE GOAL Why the opportunity has now arisen to create a greener and more resilient world. 2. THE OBSTACLES How and why we can all have a say in deciding whether to seize this moment or let it slip away. 3. THE PATH How we can build economies back greener, even in developing countries. akzente 3/21 19 The international community can only achieve its goal of limiting human-induced global warming to a tolerable level if we re- shape our economies in ways that no longer damage our climate, create social injustice or ruthlessly exploit the natural world. Strange- ly enough, it is the deadly COVID-19 pan- demic that has given us an opportunity to make that change. Two words now form the great rallying cry of our times: ‘green recov- ery’. All our efforts to rebuild economic sys- tems weakened by the pandemic can and must be directed towards a social and envi- ronmental transformation. The message from UN Secretary-General António Gu- terres and many others is that this reboot can produce a healthier and more resilient world. We already have the blueprint in the form of the 2030 Agenda, a series of sustain- able development targets defined by the in- ternational community and to be achieved by the end of this decade. The basic message was development and progress for all, but

Essay not at the expense of the environment and the climate. To date, global efforts to meet those targets have lacked ambition. Despite international agreements designed to limit the damage to our climate, CO₂ emissions rose by over 60 per cent between 1990 and 2017. As stipulated under international law in the Paris Agreement, we need to cut our CO₂ emissions to net zero by 2050. That will require a rapid and far-reaching transi- tion. The momentum created by the pan- demic gives us a unique opportunity to em- bark on this path. Never before has so much money been directed all at once in pursuit of a single goal. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Develop- ment (OECD), however, less than a third of the spending commitments announced to date have had a positive impact on the cli- mate and the environment. That is alarming. The recovery packages and programmes de- signed to inject life back into our economies should be used to drive the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, to develop re- source-efficient technologies for our indus- tries, skilled trades and agriculture, to pro- mote environmentally sound building methods and to roll out climate-friendly infrastructure. A green reboot along these lines could generate so many new jobs, especially in those developing countries where the pan- demic has destroyed much of the progress achieved in recent years. India has shown how this can be done. Delhi’s metro system dates back to 2002. Work to extend it as part of the city’s wider public transport infra- structure created nearly 15,000 jobs. The project also generated employment on the production side as most of the trains and other technical rail systems are manufac- tured within the country. In Peru, the mayor of Lima wants to use international funding for climate action in urban areas to reduce air pollution in the capital. The plans involve building a series of ‘green islands’, planting two million new ur- ban trees and creating 46 kilometres of cycle paths to help protect the climate and im- prove the quality of life for all of the city’s residents. This could also generate employ- ment, for example building and maintaining ‘The success of this transition depends on consumers all over the world rethinking their behaviour and making more sus- tainable choices.’ all those green spaces and setting up new climate-friendly delivery services such as that provided by coffee-roasting entrepre- neur Edgar Fernández. ‘If cities can find in- clusive ways of tackling the climate crisis, they can act as a catalyst for economic recov- ery,’ observed the city’s mayor, Jorge Muñoz Wells. Over in Rio’s Copacabana district, around 11,000 deliveries are already being made every day by cargo bike. In Mumbai, a major online retailer had the idea of using the traditional ‘dabbawala’ system, which provides many of the city’s office workers with a home-cooked lunch, to deliver par- cels. Examples such as these show that even relatively small initiatives can set change in motion – and that even those on very mod- est incomes can benefit from the resulting changes. The crucial role of agriculture Yet if we are to achieve a wider global transi- tion that allows the world’s leading econo- mies to phase out fossil fuels completely, we need to lay correspondingly strong founda- tions. That is not yet the case, even though renewables have long since been competi- tive. In this context, however, it is worth noting that China, for example, now invests more in expanding its renewables capacity than in new coal-fired power stations. One of the ‘elephants in the room’, as Peter Poschen from the University of Freiburg puts it, is agriculture. Agriculture is the sec- ond-biggest source of climate-damaging gas- es after energy. It also accounts for 70 per cent of worldwide water consumption and is one of the main drivers of another phenom- enon, namely species loss. The expansion of agricultural land is a major contributing fac- tor to deforestation and to the destruction of other plant and animal habitats. At the same time, however, agriculture is the biggest source of employment around the world. It is still by far the largest sector of the econo- my in developing countries. That means it has to be right at the centre of any plans for an economic reboot in the global south, es- pecially since growing conditions have wors- ened considerably in many countries due to the climate crisis. It is crucial that developing countries receive the funds they need to initiate a shift towards resource-efficient, climate-proof and socially equitable agricultural systems and economies that hold out the promise of a secure livelihood for their respective popu- lations. In turn, this will require rapid action on debt relief and carefully targeted funding programmes. In some places, the transition has already begun. In western Uganda, for example, thousands of farmers have switched to cultivating organic crops, allowing them not only to generate more income but also to reduce their impact on the environment. The success of this transition depends on consumers all over the world rethinking their behaviour and making more sustain- able choices. In Lima, at least, Edgar Fernán- dez’s customers seem to have understood that message. — ULRIKE SCHEFFER works for the newspaper Berliner Tagesspiegel and writes for the magazine Publik- Forum. Her research is focused on immigration and migration, populism, environmental transformation and foreign, defence and development policy. ) 1 2 . P ( S I E K C Ü R O L I T : O T O H P akzente 3/21 21

Guest article GREENING THE ECONOMY Indonesia’s path towards a sustainable future, summarised by Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati The Paris Agreement was adopted by 195 Parties in 2015. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 °C, and prefera- bly to 1.5 °C, compared to pre-industrial levels. Under the agreement, countries communicate commitments and action plans to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to adapt to the impacts of climate change in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). But even if all unconditional NDCs were implement- ed, we would still be on course for a temperature rise of well over 3 °C, according to the United Nations. So, it is clear: we need a more ambitious commitment on dealing with climate change. Or at the very least, the commitment to the NDCs must be fulfilled without any delay. As a vulnerable country, Indonesia has a strong commitment to addressing climate change. Our target is to reduce emissions by 29 per cent against the busi- ness-as-usual scenario and by 41 per cent with interna- tional support. We aim to achieve this target through five sectors, of which forestry and energy are the two most important ones. We also wish to increase our re- silience to climate change through five aspects: life system resilience, special territory resilience, economic resilience, ecosystem resilience and support system re- silience. These ambitious targets require considerable re- sources. The financing needed for this climate mitigation programme amounts to almost USD 250 billion accord- ing to Indonesia’s Second Biennial Update Report. The average required per year is USD 19 billion, of which more than 80 per cent is earmarked for energy and trans- portation, while the rest is needed to fund other sectors. The pandemic has taught us a valuable lesson, that we should include sustainability aspects in development. The outbreak demonstrated vividly that the environ- ment recovered quickly, as pollution levels hit multi-year lows due to policies that limited activities. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) found that global CO2 emissions had decreased by 6 per cent during the akzente 3/21 23

The images on this route show parts of the Manggarai 2030 project, a green vision for Jakarta conceived by the architectural studio Budi Pradono Architects. mensely important if effective steps and actions towards a green recovery are to be taken, and taken seriously. We in Indonesia take our share of the responsibility. Others should follow. Climate Change Fiscal Framework We are developing a blueprint for fiscal policy to support climate action through a Climate Change Fiscal Frame- work (CCFF). It is intended to show the finance gaps that hamper Indonesia from achieving its NDCs. And it is supposed to identify how to utilise public finances more effectively and structurally to leverage green private investments. But it goes without saying that we need international support in this endeavour. Since climate change is a challenge for all of humanity, it requires strong global political will to take action. Particularly because acting now is definitely less costly than reacting later. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shift our economies, to make them climate-sound and greener. This is our call. We have to seize that opportu- nity before the global economy starts growing again. Emissions will quickly return to a pre-pandemic level unless we make that necessary shift. Even if the situa- tion is difficult now, still in the midst of the pandemic, we should not let our attention on climate change fade away, but rather engage in a green recovery that truly deserves this label. A number of countries are moving forward, Indonesia is among them. Let’s move ahead together and mobilise everything we have to strive to provide better policies for sustainable economies – and a safer world. — SRI MULYANI INDRAWATI is an Indonesian economist. She was the country’s Minister of Finance from 2004 to 2010, and has held this post again since 2016. Between 2010 and 2016 she served as Managing Director of the World Bank. sector and a reference for related ministries in develop- ing innovative financing. The global community needs to do more So, all in all Indonesia has entered this new path and is well on its way. One issue that worries me, however, is the global political will when it comes to financing. Bluntly put, it is still lacking. The developed countries’ obligation to mobilise financial support for developing countries remains unfulfilled. That is unfortunate, espe- cially when compared to the enormous amount that has been spent in response to COVID-19: this comes to an unbelievable USD 16 trillion, while the promised cli- mate funds add up to USD 100 billion, which is but a fraction. Yet, at the same time, this fact highlights the immense opportunity that opens up here if the COVID funds are aligned with climate objectives. And it consti- tutes a great risk if they are not. Climate change will surely impact growth. Even if all countries succeed in achieving their respective NDCs, we will still experience economic losses from climate change due to disasters, such as drought and floods. This will disrupt food chains and endanger water supplies, infrastructure and health. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that economic losses from climate-induced disasters could reach 0.2 to 2.0 per cent of global GDP. Political will is thus im- ) 5 2 , 2 2 . P ( S T C E T I H C R A O N O D A R P I D U B , ) 4 2 . P ( U E K N E M E K / U Y A B / I L K O R I B : S O T O H P akzente 3/21 25

Report Frozen sunlight Green economic recovery in action: a successful German-Indonesian project illustrates how renewable energy can boost the local economy in fishing villages across the archipelago – with solar-powered ice makers. Text BRIGITTE SPITZ For years, fishers from Sulamu have had to make the daily journey south in their boats across Kupang Bay to fetch ice to keep their fish fresh. They can see the lights of Kupang, capital of the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara, from the shores of their village. While Ku- pang has seen strong growth over the past two decades, little has changed in Sulamu. There is a mosque, a school, a few small stands selling goods along the village street and an old lighthouse. Sulamu is typical of the small villages on the Indonesian archi- pelago, which is made up of around 17,500 islands. It is well away from the big cities and the tourist hotspots on Java and Bali. The 1,500 inhabitants of Sulamu live very simple lives, most of them from agriculture, and above all from the sea. Many feed their families by harvesting seaweed and catching fish. It is small-scale fishers such as those in Sulamu, employing traditional methods, who are vital to preserving Indonesia’s rich marine biodiversity. Sustainable practices, for instance using longlines or fish traps, prevent overfishing and by-catch. Across the country, around 80 per cent of the people in the fisheries sector work in family-run enterprises. Without effective and afford- able cooling for their catch, however, they usually have no access to economically sig- nificant markets. Large-scale industrial fish- ing is the big volume business – and it is big: Indonesia is the world’s second largest fish producer. Without ice, fish will go off In these small-scale fisheries, the level of freshness is not good enough for export, and it is not always possible to sell everything locally, either. Block ice for the boats from Sulamu can only be obtained from the cooling plants in Kupang. It has to be reserved days in advance, and there is not always enough available. In that case, the fishers of Sulamu have to go without. ‘Sometimes they have to throw 15 tonnes of fish away because it has gone off, for lack of cooling facilities,’ says Gabriel Ken- nenbudi, who comes from the region and is familiar with the problems the people have. When a university friend told him about the idea for an ice-making machine powered by the sun, the 54-year-old decid- ed to invest in the pilot project for the so- lar ice maker. ) 6 2 . P ( ) 1 ( R E L L Ü M G E T S , ) 3 ( F E R I A , ) 1 ( A N I T A F A N A H S : S O T O H P FAR-SIGHTED INITIATIVE Indonesia is the world’s largest island nation and is particularly affected by climate change. After the coronavirus pandemic, this South-East Asian country would like to focus on green investment and jobs, and use renewable energy to boost rural productivity. One way in which GIZ is contributing is by support- ing the distribution of solar ice makers. Development started in 2016, as an in- tegral part of the Indonesian-German energy programme that had a number of different projects and commissioning parties, including the German Develop- ment Ministry (BMZ). Currently the ini- tiative is anchored in the ExploRE project (Strategic Exploration of Economic Miti- gation Potential through Renewables), which was commissioned by the German Environment Ministry (BMU). It is also supported by Germany’s COVID-19 re- covery stimulus packages. Contact: Frank Stegmüller, frank.stegmueller@giz.de akzente 3/21 27

Report INDONESIA Capital: Jakarta / Population: 271 million / GDP per capita: USD 3,870 / Economic growth: -2.1 per cent (2020) / Human Development Index ranking: 107 (out of 189) Source: World Bank Sulamu ditions in Indonesia,’ Frank Stegmüller ex- plains. GIZ looked for appropriate part- ners, established production with local, German and European companies in Indo- nesia and made sure that communication between everyone involved was clear and transparent. The pilot project can be used to publi- cise the solar ice maker in years to come. GIZ is currently working with the Interna- tional Pole & Line Foundation, a maritime non-governmental organisation, to press ahead with dissemination of the machine. From now on, manufacturing will be han- dled by the Indonesian industrial enterprise Selaras Mandiri Tehnik (SMT). This will create sustainable, green jobs locally, and for the long term – not only in Java, Indonesia’s political and economic centre, but also in far-off Sulamu. As Gabriel Kennenbudi points out, ‘ice production also offers new employment op- portunities for young people in the village.’ The investor is still thinking ahead, and would like to create a central contact hub for fishers around the ice production site where they can find everything they need, from fishing permits to fuel and all their equipment. ‘Once we have got going, I hope that more people will be interested in making environmentally friendly invest- ments here,’ he adds. First of all, anyway, the fishers of Sula- mu will no longer have to chug across Ku- pang Bay to pick up ice blocks to stop their catch from spoiling. That’s a good start. — The project contributes to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): In specific terms, the pilot plant in Sulamu alone will save 40 tonnes of CO2 a year, thanks to annual savings of around 14,000 litres of diesel for electricity generation and transporting ice. At the same time, cooling prevents valuable fish from going off. Small businesses can successfully bring their chilled catch to market. For tuna alone, the price of chilled, high-quality produce is over two-and-a-half times as high as that of poor-quality fish. Over the course of a year, this works out at greater added value of at least EUR 60,000 at each location. This ex- tra money could be available to the fishing families in future – perhaps to invest in their children’s education. ‘It couldn’t be better,’ says Steffen Sinn, who is responsible for the South-East Asian market at German fan manufacturer Ziehl - Abegg. ‘I was enthusiastic right from the outset, because I know Indonesia well. Any- thing that improves people’s lives while also helping to mitigate climate change makes the world more liveable.’ The company is based in Baden-Würt- temberg, south-west Germany, and is one of nine private enterprises that have cofinanced the solar ice maker and brought it to frui- tion. ‘We are relying on the multiplier effect and hope that the solar ice maker will pro- vide energy-efficient, green cooling in other remote regions of the world too.’ Frank Stegmüller, who is responsible for the inno- vative ice makers at GIZ, is similarly opti- mistic: ‘There is huge potential for this out- standing technology in Indonesia with its 540 small local ports.’ GIZ launched the project back in 2016. Even then – years before the pan- demic – the main concern was how to boost traditional small-scale fishing in In- donesia on a sustainable basis and create local jobs. It quickly became clear that block ice, made using local renewable ener- gy, can help leverage development. With GIZ acting as the coordinator, the German Institute of Air Handling and Refrigera- tion (ILK) in Dresden took on the task of developing a special solar-powered ice maker and subsequently transferring the technology to Indonesia so that produc- tion could be set up locally. ‘The ILK team in Dresden did an out- standing job and got to grips with the con- ) W O L E B , 8 2 . P ( S E G A M I Y T T E G A I V P F A / N I D D U Y H A M , ) E V O B A , 8 2 . P ( N E P O T N E M O M / S E G A M I Y T T E G : S O T O H P akzente 3/21 29

Boom in renewables Renewable energy generation has repeatedly broken records in recent years. In 2019, global capacity grew by 200 gigawatts – the biggest increase ever seen in a single year. In most countries, electricity from wind or solar energy is now actually cheaper than that from coal-fired power stations. Source: REN21 Bicycles on a roll Bicycles have experienced a renaissance in many countries over the past few years, and most recently as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Not only in industrialised nations, but in emerging economies and developing countries too. In Mexico City, pop-up cycle paths totalling more than 50 kilometres were created, and have now been made permanent. Sources: BMU, GIZ In focus: Green recovery The signals are on green Our infographic shows which developments are already sustainable, and where there is an urgent need for a rethink. Tree by tree In Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, the aim is to have planted one million trees by the end of 2022. That’s good for the environ- ment. And because they are mainly being planted by young people, over 500 green jobs are being created for this population group, which is often at a disadvantage on the labour market. Source: Transform Freetown

Interview ‘We cannot go back to the old normal’ Andrea Meza Murillo is the Environment Minister of Costa Rica, a country with a long record of pushing forward on sustainability issues. She talked to akzente about her country’s ambitious goals, why a green recovery from the pandemic is so important and what kind of support she needs from the international community. Interview: Friederike Bauer Some people say we are facing a compli- cated triple crisis at the moment: climate change, biodiversity loss and the pan- demic. Do you share this analysis? Absolutely. Scientists are telling us every day that we have to change in a very robust way in order to address this triple crisis. More concretely: we need to transform the way we produce and consume. Otherwise – as the pandemic has taught us – we will not be able to live healthy lives and have healthy societies. Combining our response to the pandemic with public funding programmes to drive the shift towards a greener economy has been described as a once-in-a-lifetime op- portunity. What is your opinion? It is definitely an opportunity we must not let go by. On the other hand, this is not an easy task because we have to cope with re- cessions all over the world, particularly in our own region. Latin America has been hit very hard by COVID-19, and many people have lost their lives. We are facing heavy economic repercussions that inter- fere directly with people’s lives. But we have to do this anyway. It is critical that we direct public money into the right in- vestments and create a nature-positive economy. We cannot go back to the old normal. How do you want to seize this opportunity? Generally speaking, we have to use these funds to generate jobs and mitigate the im- pacts of the pandemic. At the same time, we have to come closer to achieving the Paris goals and to protecting nature. It is precisely this kind of investment that we have to identify. The good news is that we have the knowledge and the technology to do so. What we don’t have is the money. Which green projects in particular are you investing in or do you want to invest in? In 2018 we launched an ambitious decar- bonisation plan that aims to create a net- zero emissions economy by 2050. Our big- gest problem in Costa Rica is the transport sector. It was and still is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. We therefore want to electrify 75 per cent of the trans- ) 2 3 . P ( D U N P A R A P / A D A M Ó N O V I T C E L O C / S E R O L F A R O M A L L I C S I R P : O T O H P akzente 3/21 33

Interview Left: Around 50 per cent of Costa Rica is covered in forest. The country is widely regarded as a global conservation leader. Right: From forest projects to international conferences, Andrea Meza Murillo is involved in conservation work at many levels. Costa Ricans cannot afford to buy a car, but they still have transportation needs. Being able to commute, to take a train into and around the city, makes this transition tangi- ble for them. In my view, this is really a cru- cial aspect and a very democratic approach. No green recovery will work if we do not get the people to agree and collaborate. It has to be fair. ) 5 3 . P ( P D N U , ) 4 3 . P ( A C I R A T S O C D U N P / I C C U P O L R A C N A I G : S O T O H P Are you taking any other measures to support people who are particularly vul- nerable at the moment? Yes, we are. We identify vulnerable groups and offer them economic transfers if they get involved in this campaign to put nature at the top. That might be planting trees, saving mangroves or communities that en- gage in products from ecosystem services. They receive direct transfers, which helps them get through the crisis – and supports our overall goal. And of course we’re also ‘Those who are really doing their job, are committed and make a huge effort should be rewarded by the international community.’ creating new jobs by building this new transportation system. Tourism is very important in Costa Rica, but the sector nearly collapsed during the pandemic. What have you done to com- pensate for those losses? As I said, we granted transfers to the worst-affected communities, partly so that they can carry on looking after the many protected areas we have in order to safe- guard nature. That is one reason why we face fiscal constraints at the moment. Do you see Costa Rica as a frontrunner? Yes and no. We are moving ahead and are probably farther along in the process than other countries. But with more support we could do better and we could move faster. — akzente 3/21 35

Examples of GIZ’s work Green with a social impact Towards an economic recovery that delivers social and environmental benefits The right boost The coronavirus pandemic is not just a health crisis with major consequences. It is also a symptom of a wider environ- mental and climate crisis that threatens many lives and liveli- hoods. That is why GIZ sees the worldwide response as an opportunity to bring about a far-reaching economic and social transformation. We want to help achieve that vision through our programmes and projects. Wetlands WATER The Andean state of Bolivia is extremely vulnerable to climate change. As well as having a negative impact on the water cycle, this is also causing more droughts and increasingly frequent extreme weather events. Through a project commis- sioned by BMZ and cofinanced by the EU, GIZ is helping to develop modern water management systems that protect the country’s water resources in the long term and therefore increase water security. — ECOSYSTEMS On behalf of BMU, GIZ is supporting the work of people in rural areas to restore and preserve wetlands. These are highly biodiverse ecosystems such as mangrove forests, streams and ponds. The restoration work provides short-term employment for people returning from the cities due to the coronavirus pandemic. It also creates permanent jobs, improves the supply of fresh water and food, and increases biodiversity. — Bamboo beds BAMBOO One of GIZ’s projects in Ethiopia involves making thousands of sustainable camp beds. Locally sourced bamboo is used for the frames and high-quality cotton from Senegal for the bedding. The beds are intended for use in rural clinics set up to deal with the rise in COVID-19 patients. As well as helping to combat the pandemic, the project generates business for sustainable producers, stimulates trade between African countries and creates jobs. GIZ is supporting the project on behalf of BMZ. — Green investment Jobs with a bright future REFORMS A green economic recovery requires a great deal of invest- ment and new laws and regulations in almost every country. The Euro- pean Union has designed a toolkit of measures to stimulate green growth, and GIZ is exploring which of these are suitable for use in Asian countries. When it comes to driving green and inclusive growth, Viet Nam leads the way in Asia. As part of a programme commissioned by BMZ and cofinanced by the EU, GIZ is supporting the Govern- ment’s efforts to mobilise green investment and reinvigorate its econo- my. Much of that investment is systematically directed at sustainable business models through funding mechanisms such as green bonds. — EMPLOYMENT Africa’s very young population means that the demand for training and jobs is huge. On behalf of BMZ, GIZ is working in various countries to support development partnerships with the private sector, for example in the textile industry, with the aim of creating jobs. These partnerships are run under the ‘develoPPP for jobs’ programme which brings together governments, civil society and responsible com- panies, combines their knowledge and resources, opens up new sources of income and creates both long-term and sustain- able jobs. — akzente 3/21 37

Sign of the times ART The face of a young woman – startling and expressive – floats on the surface of the Nervión River in Bilbao. The fiberglass figure weighs 120 kilogrammes and is called ‘Bihar’ — ‘tomorrow’ in Basque. As the tide rises and falls, the figure is either submerged or appears above the surface, a reflection on people’s connection with nature and their responsibility. The sculpture was created by the Mexican hyperrealist artist Ruben Orozco Loza. The installation is designed to initiate a debate about sustainability and to raise people’s awareness of the impact their actions have on whether they sink or swim. Photo: Reuters

A well of cooperation UZBEKISTAN Capital: Tashkent / Population: 34.2 million / Human Development Index ranking: 106 (out of 189) Source: World Bank KAZAKHSTAN UZBEKISTAN KYRGYZSTAN TURKMENISTAN TAJIKISTAN UZBEKISTAN AFGHANISTAN Fergana

Left: Engineer Solizhon Matmurodov uses a smart stick to measure exactly how much water flows through a canal in eastern Uzbekistan. Above: An adequate water supply means fruit trees can grow, as farmer Mohammad Sadiq Hidayatov demonstrates in the Fergana Valley. Below: Village wells are in heavy demand in arid areas in the west of the country. In this video, a farmer reports how her pomegranate trees benefit from water management: akzente.giz.de/en The project contributes to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): who have benefited from training at this model farm. As he drives through rows of apple and pear trees, he explains, ‘We have drip ir- rigation on two hectares, sprinklers on another two hectares, and normal furrow irrigation on the remaining two hectares.’ He and his colleagues have already seen what difference these irrigation methods can make to water consumption and are putting what they learn into practice on their own farms, he says. GIZ has now handed over the model farm, tractors, a water reservoir and a pump system to the river basin authority. And Shukhratjon Ergashev believes this initial scheme should be expand- ed. The Uzbek water expert would like to see recognition at the high- est political level that climate change is having a direct impact: ‘We used to have a drought every 30 years or so; now, it’s every seven or eight years,’ he says. Ergashev has seen bitter conflict over water resources, not only between farmers in his own area but also between the countries of Central Asia. And people in Kyrgyzstan, just 10 kilometres away, face exactly the same problems. ‘But regardless of the politicking over the past few years, we water experts on both sides of the border have al- ways maintained contact,’ he says. Caroline Milow hopes she can continue to rely on this pragmatic approach in future: ‘We need to solve the problems in Central Asia now; if we don’t, security across the region will be at risk.’ — akzente 3/21 43

Mother courage ‘It was the first time I had told my story.’ RAIZA PARRA (55), representative of the LGBT working group and the Committee for Peace, Reconciliation and Coexistence in the Meta region ‘I’ve been a trans woman since I was 28, and I love that identity. I like seeing my body differently, dressing up, col- ouring my hair, putting on make-up and a dress. I’ve been campaigning for the rights of diverse people like me for more than 20 years. For example, I established the Gay Pride march in Villavicencio, the regional capital of Meta. People here call me ‘Madre’ – Mother. As a teenager, I experienced sexual violence at the hands of guerrilla fighters and then displacement and per- secution. And the problems persist to this day. During the armed conflict, we knew where the threat was coming from. But now, we are often unsure who is who. The gen- der-diverse population still faces discrimination, stigmati- sation and persecution, but we will not be intimidated. In fact, quite the opposite is true as we will fight even harder for our rights. International cooperation is behind the improvements in Meta. The Government trusts foreign institutions. I told my story for the first time for the book ‘Construyendo Me- morias’ (‘Making memories’)*, which is the result of work- shops and training courses supported by GIZ. Years ago, I campaigned in vain for a work of this kind. We have also produced a report for the Truth Commis- sion and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, so that it can open a case on the LGBT community. Cooperation with GIZ has brought us together and strengthened our organi- sations and contact with official agencies. Now we know our rights, and some in our community have also under- gone training as managers in psychosocial support. And now we are passing on what we have learned to others.’ — * The book is available in Spanish at https://vocesmulticolores.com/informe akzente 3/21 45

‘Participation by vic- tims is a fundamental part of the peace agreement between the state and the former guerrilla fighters.’ MERY RODRÍGUEZ, Colombian social scientist and consultant on memory work as part of the ProPaz programme Read an interview with her at akzente.giz.de/en WORKING FOR PEACE WITH ALL GIZ is implementing the ProPaz II – Consolidation of Peace in Colombia project on behalf of BMZ to help people deal with the country’s violent past. It is also strengthening the rights of victims. In this context, GIZ supports individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations – the ‘población diversa’ or gender-diverse population. This has enabled the victims of violence to submit their reports to the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and has helped people start coming to terms with 15,000 cases of sexual violence alone. Contact: Rebekka Rust, rebekka.rust@giz.de The project contributes to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): ‘People wept when they heard about the violence against us.’ LENNY RODRÍGUEZ (34), LGBT representative of ethnic groups in Meta ‘I was born in an indigenous Tikuna community in Amazonas, where I was rejected because of my sexuality. In the municipality where I lived later, guerrilla fighters forced people to collaborate or join the militia. People had to do what the commanding officers said for fear of being punished, kidnapped or murdered. Later, the Army fought the guerrillas. Many people had to flee, leaving everything be- hind. The guerrilla fighters drove me and others away because of our sexual orientation. The state gave me no help at all – I had to get through it all alone. As part of the book project with GIZ, we were able to tell our stories for the first time and share our experiences of being indigenous LGBT victims of the armed conflict. It’s a huge step forward for us. Our families now know what we went through. People wept when they heard about the violence against us. It’s really hard recalling it all – but it’s also healing. And it has changed our lives. I now work in indigenous communities in the region. I help them with social and health issues. I also advise people on their ap- pearance, apply their make-up and cut their hair. And I try to help non-indigenous people, too. I am passionate about my work and put all my spiritual energy into it. Before I was elected as the LGBT rep- resentative by indigenous leaders, I visited indigenous communities. They were hostile to begin with, which is no doubt down to wide- spread sexism. But I think I can change that using my spiritual gifts and all my allies.’ — akzente 3/21 47

Info GOOD READS from around the world TWO TREES MAKE A FOREST This book sees the island of Taiwan as an allegory. In this very personal exploration of her roots, Canadian environ- mental historian Jessica J. Lee discovers the subterranean shifts, luxuriant growth and political strife that characterise Taiwan. She paints a picture of a precarious homeland in the middle of the ocean. This is a gripping story of migration combined with nature writing of the highest order. — Katharina Borchardt Jessica J. Lee, Canada. Published in English. Virago, 240 pages THE BABY IS MINE Is the crisis an opportunity? A ‘small’ story that packs a punch. Oyinkan Braithwaite paints a witty, clever picture of lockdown in Lagos, Nigeria, playfully turning gender rela- tions on their head. — Ulrich Noller Oyinkan Braithwaite, Nigeria. Published in English. Atlantic Books, 128 pages HOW TO ORDER THE UNIVERSE The travelling salesman for Kramp hardware visits a differ- ent village each day. His seven- year-old daughter goes with him, learning lessons from life rather than in the classroom. It’s the perfect partnership – until something goes wrong. And in early 1980s Chile, there are ghosts a-plenty lurking in the background. A short, bril- liant jewel of a story told with the lightest of light touches. — Anita Djafari María José Ferrada, Chile. Translated from Spanish by Elizabeth Bryer. Tin House Books, 180 pages LITPROM RECOMMENDS Litprom – the Society for the Promotion of African, Asian and Latin American Literature – pro- vided these reviews for akzente. The titles were selected from Litprom’s list of the best new releases. www.litprom.de/en akzente 3/21 49 SONGS FOR THE FLAMES A tale of exile that weaves Polanski into the mix takes on an autobiographical air. A portrayal of violence in Colombia is almost unbearably immediate. Stories dealing with guilt and deception are more subtle, with accusa- tions of cowardice and a display of pathos from a freedom fighter. Across nine stories, Juan Gabriel Vásquez demonstrates the full breadth of his skill. — Ruthard Stäblein Juan Gabriel Vásquez, Colombia. Translated from Spanish by Anne McLean. Riverhead Books, 256 pages

SUSTAINABILITY A look back at a project and its results AKZENTE Publisher: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Registered offices Bonn and Eschborn, Germany Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 32 + 36, 53113 Bonn, Germany T +49 228 44 60-0, F +49 228 44 60-17 66 Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1-5, 65760 Eschborn, Germany T +49 61 96 79-0, F +49 61 96 79-11 15 E: akzente@giz.de I: akzente.giz.de/en Sabine Tonscheidt, Director of Corporate Communications (GIZ) Responsible: Ute Schaeffer, Head of Media and Public Relations and Press Spokesperson (GIZ) Content concept and editing: GIZ: Nicole Annette Mueller (editor) Fazit Communication GmbH: Sabrina Pfost (project management), Friederike Bauer, Brigitte Spitz, Charlotte Schmitz, Oliver Hick-Schulz (artistic direction, photo editing) English translation: Janet Fraser, Sue Harrison, Richard Holland, David Tonge, Leighton Twigger; Gillian Lester (GIZ) Proofreading: textschrittmacher Graphic design/lithography: Fazit Communication GmbH URL links: Where links are included to external sites, responsibility for the content of these sites lies solely with the provider. GIZ explicitly dissociates itself from all such content. Maps: GIZ/Ira Olaleye The maps are for information purposes only and do not constitute recognition under international law of boundaries and territories. GIZ provides no assurance that these maps are up-to-date, correct or complete and accepts no responsibility for loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from their use. GIZ is responsible for the content of this publication. Articles by individual authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Cover photo and page 16: Imaginechina/laif All images: GIZ unless otherwise stated Copy deadline: December 2021 Published: three times a year Current issue: January 2022 Printed by: Druckerei Lokay e. K., Reinheim Printed on: BalancePure, FSC standard ISSN: 0945-4497 You can subscribe to akzente free of charge as a printed magazine or as a pdf by sending your email or postal address to: akzente-vertrieb@giz.de. You can unsubscribe using the same address. akzente has received several awards for its high-quality journalism and design. In 2018, it won the Best of Content Marketing Award in silver in the crossmedia and website cat- egories. UKRAINE Project: Modernisation Partnership for Energy Efficiency in Hospitals Country: Ukraine Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Term: August 2016 to June 2020 / Evaluation period: 2019 to 2020 THEN NOW Ukraine is heavily dependent on energy im- ports from abroad, which has contributed to soaring energy prices since 2015. At the same time, the country’s infrastructure and supply systems are outdated, and the en- ergy efficiency of many facilities is low. This is particularly apparent in the health sector: more than 1,000 hospitals with around 430,000 beds are among the most energy- intensive public institutions. In certain cases, they have to spend up to 20 per cent of their budget on energy. The sharp increase in energy prices is putting considerable eco- nomic pressure on the hospital providers and greatly limiting their scope for action. Some of the money needed to fund medical care has to be used for energy instead: suf- ficient amounts of important medical goods can no longer be purchased – with a nega- tive impact on patients. The project supported 17 municipal hospi- tals in the partner cities of Sumy and Chernihiv in reducing their energy consump- tion. Energy audits were conducted to iden- tify ways to use energy more efficiently and hence to cut costs. By implementing these measures, the institutions are able to save around EUR 1 million a year. Some of the hospitals have undergone energy-efficient refurbishment: exteriors have been insu- lated, for example, and doors and windows replaced. This has led to energy savings of up to 42 per cent. The project also assisted in knowledge transfer, training more than 60 managers and energy managers in the 17 hospitals. Another success was immediately felt: the temperature in the hospitals in- creased, benefiting the patients. https://mia.giz.de/qlink/ID=247790000 ) 0 5 . P ( Z I G , O T O H P K C O T S I / S E G A M I Y T T E G : S O T O H P akzente 3/21 51