GIZ India

Empowering first-generation women landowners through Community Nutrition Gardens 🥕 In #MadhyaPradesh, a transformative initiative is taking root, reshaping the landscape of the soil, and changing lives of first-generation women landowners. Through the Community Nutrition Gardens (CNGs), the government is reclaiming land for the communities for a lease agreement of nine years. These gardens, tended by ten to twelve dedicated women, serve a dual purpose: nourishing their families with wholesome fruits and vegetables while creating a surplus for sale. The women, working on the community nutrition gardens, are not just cultivators; they are owners, breaking the chains of patriarchal norms. Anita Bai Shiv works in a #CNG. “Earlier I suffered from not having anything. This has changed. Being part of this initiative makes me feel that I can touch the sky.” The community nutrition gardens offer more than just a plot of land. They provide a platform for women to be recognised as vital contributors to their communities. Through their work on the gardens, these women have not only grown crops but also earned respect and acceptance, as highlighted by self-help group (#SHG) member Rajkumari Renuka: “People at home appreciate us, and we are starting to get respect from people in the village.” In our series #HerSuccessStories we spotlight remarkable women who are transforming their communities and our planet. With determination, courage, and a pioneering spirit, these changemakers are not only rewriting their own narratives but also empowering others and driving meaningful impact. Stay tuned to meet these incredible women whose stories inspire us all to strive for a better future! Learn more about our work: https://lnkd.in/g4H8cwNX 📌 Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH | German Embassy New Delhi

Strengthening incomes of women collectives through moringa plantations in rural India 🌿   Leela Mahajan, a small farmer and leader of a local women's self-help group (SHG) federation in Khandwa, #MadhyaPradesh, witnessed a substantial increase in her annual income through #moringa plantations. With the support of German development cooperation that promotes the cultivation of moringa plants, her income almost doubled. The resilient superfood, adaptable to various agroclimatic zones, was cultivated on her one-acre land through a government supported initiative. #India and #Germany work together to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable households. Certified in micro-enterprise development, Leela now sells moringa products, like powder and snacks, jointly with her #SHG members in local markets. Based on her success, she led the ‘𝘏𝘢𝘳 𝘎𝘩𝘢𝘳 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘢’ campaign (translates from Hindi to English as ‘moringa tree in every household’) and motivated more than 2,000 female SHG members to undertake moringa plantations. Women like Leela Mahajan are changing their lives and the lives of women around them towards creating sustainable incomes and a healthy life. Watch the video to know more about the campaign and Leela Mahajan’s moringa plantation story 🎥: https://lnkd.in/gWDtJpYy In our series #HerSuccessStories we spotlight remarkable women who are transforming their communities and our planet. With determination, courage, and a pioneering spirit, these changemakers are not only rewriting their own narratives but also empowering others and driving meaningful impact. Stay tuned to meet these incredible women whose stories inspire us all to strive for a better future! Learn more about our work: https://lnkd.in/g7QAEvFR 📌 Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) | Ministry of Rural Development | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH | German Embassy New Delhi

An electric (r)EVolution led by women and transgender drivers 🛺 In a sector which severely lacks gender inclusion, the Mo E-ride project from the Indian state of #Odisha stands as a beacon of hope. This initiative not only provides a sustainable first and end-mile connectivity to the city bus service, but also empowers the most marginalised sections of society by providing them livelihood alternatives. Mo E-ride is an electric rickshaw service driven entirely by women, transgenders, and HIV+ persons. For many beneficiaries who underwent the driver training, this is their first job. Sumi Pingua had never been employed before and proudly shares that their family is elated about them earning a respectful living. Sumi feels happy to be part of an initiative that welcomes all genders. “We are usually discarded wherever we go. But this place is different. We cannot let fear override us. We can prove our mettle and earn a living at the same time. I feel people will accept us as well as the E-Ride.” In our series #HerSuccessStories we spotlight remarkable women who are transforming their communities and our planet. With determination, courage, and a pioneering spirit, these changemakers are not only rewriting their own narratives but also empowering others and driving meaningful impact. Stay tuned to meet these incredible women whose stories inspire us all to strive for a better future! Learn more about our work: https://lnkd.in/ggCRFaEM 📌 Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) | Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs | Capital Region Urban Transport | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH | German Embassy New Delhi

Gender and Diversity in a Changing Climate ♀️ What does it take to build a future where #inclusivity and #sustainability go hand in hand? The 6th Edition of the GSDP Conversation Series, titled ‘Gender and Diversity in a Changing Climate’, travels to #Kolkata and invites you to be part of this important dialogue. 🕐 04 December 2024, 16:00-19:00 (IST) 📍 Goethe Institute, Kolkata This event brings together experts, changemakers, and inspiring voices to explore how Indo-German cooperation is championing #GenderEquality while tackling pressing climate challenges. Through innovative approaches like tech-powered decision-making tools, street theatre to reshape gender narratives, and empowering women in leadership roles, the discussions will highlight transformative solutions that truly make a difference. Let’s connect, exchange ideas, and work towards impactful change. To set the stage, we will share inspiring success stories over the next few days, spotlighting remarkable women who are transforming their communities and our planet. With determination, courage, and a pioneering spirit, these changemakers are not only rewriting their own narratives but also empowering others and driving meaningful impact. Stay tuned to meet these incredible women whose stories inspire us all to strive for a better future! You want to learn more about our work under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP)? Check out the freshly launched website: https://lnkd.in/gvCG-7uk 📌 Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) | German Embassy New Delhi | UN Women | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH

Driving Sustainable Aquaculture with Renewable Energy Solutions 🐟 Over the past two years, we have worked closely with Assam's Department of Fisheries to empower the #aquaculture sector through decentralised renewable energy (DRE) solutions. In partnership with Kalong Kapili, we conducted awareness campaigns, sensitisation workshops, and site assessments across four districts, namely Sonitpur, Biswanath, Karbi Anglong, and Nagaon. Our work focused on introducing solar-powered technologies like water pumps, aerators, dryers, and refrigerators, while also training a wide range of stakeholders, including fish farmers, government officials, financial institutions, and NGOs. Through this initiative, ten DRE units were deployed in individual and group models. This collaborative effort is a significant step towards promoting sustainable, eco-friendly practices in Assam's aquaculture. Building on the success of this pilot initiative, we have teamed up with the SELCO Foundation and NABARD - National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development to expand the adoption of #DRE technologies in Assam's aquaculture sector. This collaboration aims to scale up sustainable practices, improve livelihoods, and increase the impact for fish farmers and our environment. 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 💡 deploy 20 DRE technologies across the Nagaon district, enhancing sustainable aquaculture practices. 🌊 equip selected fish farmers with two advanced DRE units to enhance their resources sustainably. 📈 enhance farm production, improve productivity, and boost income generation by promoting the adoption of renewable energy solutions. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐩 𝐃𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: 💼 Partnerships: Collaborative efforts with like-minded partners can fast-track the adoption of DRE technologies. 💰 Blended Funding Models: Leveraging government schemes and programmes to create blended funding models ensures financial sustainability and scalability. 📖 Expanding Learnings: Sharing insights and success stories with officials from other districts fosters replication and scalability of innovative solutions. Together, these strategies can create a robust pathway toward sustainable aquaculture and renewable energy integration. Through our joint efforts, we are promoting the widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. These are also key objectives of the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (#GSDP) between #India and #Germany. This benefits both farmers and the environment. Learn more about our work: https://lnkd.in/g-5xsSjf 📌 Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH

Championing Wetlands for LiFE through Effective Storytelling 📺 Wetlands, vital yet fragile ecosystems, are deeply rooted in India’s socio-cultural heritage. They act as nature’s lifelines, providing essential services such as water purification, climate resilience, and biodiversity preservation. In today’s rapidly changing world, amplifying the importance of wetlands is crucial. The media, as a vital link between science and society, plays a transformative role in creating public awareness and influencing policy action. By highlighting the significance of #wetlands, effective storytelling can inspire communities to protect these invaluable ecosystems. As part of the 𝘞𝘦𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘓𝘪𝘍𝘌 initiative, this national media engagement programme culminated in New Delhi after an inspiring journey across India, featuring film festivals, student workshops, and media consultations. 🗨️ Student Workshop: Journalism and mass communication students dove into the world of environmental #storytelling. The workshop provided hands-on training, tools, and best practices to explore, understand, and effectively report on the importance of wetland ecosystems. 📰 Media Consultation: Leading media professionals from The Times Of India, The Hindu, India Today, Down To Earth, and Mongabay India shared powerful ground-level insights, shifting the narrative from event-based coverage to long-term, solutions-oriented storytelling. 💡 Panel Discussions: Award-winning journalists and experts from the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India , Wetlands International South Asia, WWF-India, and CMS INDIA emphasised the need for stories of hope and action to inspire sustained public engagement and policy impact. 👓 Field Visit: Participants will travel to the Surajpur Wetland this weekend to explore the dynamics of wetland ecosystems, delve into conservation challenges, and gain practical insights for effective environmental reporting. By bringing together media professionals and environment enthusiasts, the 𝘞𝘦𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘓𝘪𝘍𝘌 initiative is paving the way for impactful, solution-oriented narratives that inspire action and foster long-term conservation efforts for India's vital wetland ecosystems. Together, let’s amplify the voices of our wetlands and celebrate their irreplaceable contributions to our planet! Our efforts contribute to the conservation of India’s rich #biodiversity, which is one of the priority areas of 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) | Convention on Wetlands | International Climate Initiative | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH | CMS VATAVARAN | Jamia Hamdard | Government of Uttar Pradesh

Empowering 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘥𝘪 Workers through ICDS Skill Labs 🧑🍼   In today’s #ThrowbackThursday, we are celebrating the inauguration of the advanced #ICDS Skill Lab in #Gadchiroli, #Maharashtra. The Skill Lab is a specialised training initiative aimed at improving the skills of frontline health and childcare workers, particularly 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘥𝘪 workers, to enhance early childhood care and maternal health. As part of the broader Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme, which was launched by the Government of India to combat malnutrition and support child development, the Skill Lab offers practical, hands-on training in key areas related to maternal and child health.   𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐛:   💡 Advanced Equipment: The newly launched ICDS Skill Lab features cutting-edge tools like simulation mannequins, growth monitoring stations, health check-up units, a model kitchen setup, and digital tools – all designed to elevate training for 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘥𝘪 workers.   👩🌾 A Model for PM Utkarsh Districts: This state-of-the-art facility showcases Maharashtra’s commitment in building frontline worker capacities, ensuring sustained knowledge sharing.   🥗 Strengthening Essential Services: By equipping frontline workers with advanced tools and trainings, the lab sets a strong foundation for improving maternal and child health, creating a healthier, more resilient future for women and children.   Over 150 participants joined the inauguration event, including government representatives, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘥𝘪 workers, Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANMs), ICDS supervisors as well as women and adolescent girls from rural communities. The great response illustrates the broad community engagement and commitment to strengthening frontline healthcare and support services.   The launch of this lab marks a significant milestone in Indo-German development cooperation, championing sustainable change through transformative partnerships. The innovative skill lab sets a new standard for capacity building in Maharashtra, redefining skills training for frontline workers and paving the way for healthier and more resilient communities in rural #India. Get some glimpses of the skill lab below! 📷   👉 Learn more about our work: https://lnkd.in/geRDr9mw 📌 Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) | Jhpiego | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH | German Embassy New Delhi

𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘸𝘢𝘮 𝘠𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘢 – Empowering Women for Sustainable Urban Mobility 🚗 First and last-mile connectivity plays a pivotal role in sustainable urban mobility by reducing emissions and offering eco-friendly transportation solutions. Encouraging women to become e-auto drivers not only breaks #gender stereotypes but also unlocks new economic opportunities. To drive these efforts, we partnered with the Kochi Municipal Corporation and the Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development (C-HED). Together, we launched the ‘Women E-Auto Driver Training Programme’ which equips women with the necessary skills, knowledge, and driving license to become e-auto drivers. By addressing the #GenderGap in India’s transport sector, this initiative supports the broader goals of sustainable and eco-friendly urban mobility while prioritising women’s safety and improving last-mile connectivity in urban spaces. Further, by offering training and support in alignment with the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, the programme ensures compliance with safety standards, paving the way for a professional framework in this sector. This structured approach not only fosters economic opportunities for women but also builds their confidence to excel in an emerging, male-dominated field. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: 🚗 80 women have been trained to become skilled e-auto drivers, improving their employment prospects. 📚 Comprehensive lessons on driving, traffic rules, vehicle maintenance, and customer interaction. 🚦 Driving licence support to ensure participants are equipped to operate e-autos confidently and safely. 👥 Gender sensitisation sessions promoting respect and inclusivity within the transportation sector. By empowering women to drive e-autos, this initiative not only contributes to cleaner urban environments but also promotes a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable transportation industry. This shift has the potential to create safer, more accessible mobility solutions for all. Our joint efforts are part of the Green Urban Mobility Partnership (#GUMP) between #India and #Germany. Together with our partners, we are committed to fostering gender equality and building a more inclusive and sustainable #UrbanMobility ecosystem. Let's drive change together! 🚀 Learn more about our activities: https://bit.ly/SUM-ACA 📌 Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) | Institute of Urban Transport (India) | Urban Transport MoHUA | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH

Climate Co-Benefits: Advancing India’s Climate Action with Public Sector Enterprises 🌿 Many initiatives have climate benefits as a side effect of achieving other goals. These are commonly known as climate co-benefits. Due to a lack of technical expertise, practical methodologies, or sufficient capacity they are often not measured effectively. Limited resources, fragmented data, and the absence of institutionalised systems also contribute to the challenge, making it harder to align climate benefits with broader development goals. This results in missed opportunities to leverage their full potential in planning and implementation. Together with our partners, we are therefore developing #ClimateCoBenefit methodologies to measure the impacts of initiatives related to #UrbanForestry and India’s Single-Use Plastics (#SUPs) ban. Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) are key in this journey, as they can adopt these methodologies to identify, quantify and measure their climate impacts. To support this, we are hosting regional workshops targeted at #PSEs to help them integrate these methodologies into their existing sustainability and climate reporting mechanisms. Our recent southern regional workshop in #Bengaluru explored how #PSEs can address climate challenges through co-benefit methodologies, furthering India’s climate action ambitions. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐨-𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬? 🌿 Win-Win Strategy: Climate co-benefits address both climate and developmental goals within policies or programmes. 🛠️ Tools: Developing practical, user-friendly tools to measure climate impacts while aligning with existing practices. 🌍 Applications: Broad applicability across sectors like urban development, agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, and renewable energy. 🎯 Net-Zero Targets: Supporting PSEs in meeting their climate goals, thereby contributing to India’s Net-Zero target by 2070. The climate co-benefits approach offers a strategic way to identify #ClimateMitigation and adaptation impacts in development policies and programmes, even when they are not explicitly climate focused. By fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors and building the capacities of PSEs, this methodology strengthens sustainable development efforts. It aligns climate initiatives with global Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing India's commitment to climate action and paving the way for a resilient, sustainable future. This also contributes to the objectives of the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP) between #India and #Germany. 🔎 Learn more about our work on #ClimateAction in India: https://lnkd.in/gY6iBthD 📌 International Climate Initiative | Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH | SCOPE (Standing Conference of Public Enterprises) | Oxford Policy Management | Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) | Perspectives Climate Group

World Urban Forum – It all starts at home 🏠 Creating cities that are both climate-resilient and fair for all addresses the intertwined challenges of #ClimateChange and #SocialInequitity. This approach ensures cities are ready to face environmental challenges while including everyone, especially women and other marginalised groups, in planning and implementation processes. The World Urban Forum (WUF), organised by UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), supports these efforts by bringing together global stakeholders. The theme of this year’s #WUF, ‘It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities’, underscored the importance of local efforts in solving global urban challenges. With a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly #SDG11, the Forum emphasised the role of community-driven approaches to tackle issues like unaffordable housing, rising living costs, lack of climate resilience, and limited access to basic services. Together with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs we hosted insightful panel discussions at the India Pavilion on topics crucial to sustainable #UrbanDevelopment: 🏙️ 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐬 – 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: The session spotlighted data-driven digital tools for climate-resilient, gender-responsive urban development. Success stories from #Kochi, #Guwahati, #Manikonda, and #Coimbatore highlighted how participatory governance can be scaled up and replicated across cities. 📥 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚-𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Panellists explored the power of both governmental and crowdsourced data in driving citizen engagement. Various cities showcased innovative approaches like data feminism, crowdsourced mapping, and strategies to improve urban services. 🏗️ 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫-𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: The session highlighted the urgent need for cities and states to tackle both global and local environmental challenges through inclusive, resilient infrastructure. Key strategies discussed included localised actions for urban resilience, integrating community participation in urban governance, promoting blue-green infrastructure, and establishing strong municipal finance systems. Together with our partners we develop resilient, sustainable approaches for urban development by considering disaster risk management and the leave-no-one-behind (#LNOB) principles. These interventions directly contribute to the objectives of the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (#GSDP) between #India and #Germany. Learn more about our work: https://bit.ly/46lq4LJ 📌 Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) | National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH