The Utility Platform for strengthening partnerships between municipal utilities worldwide is being implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The Utility Platform is being developed and implemented in cooperation with the German Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU), German Water Partnership (GWP) and Engagement Global with its Service Agency Communities in One World (SKEW).
The German Water Partnership (GWP) is a joint initiative of enterprises and organisations from the German water industry and research sector and brings together their combined experience and skills. At the same time, it is the point of contact for partners abroad in all matters concerning the German water industry. The aim of the network, which was founded in April 2008 and is supported by five German ministries, is to establish German expertise and the quality label “Made in Germany” worldwide and to work together to strengthen the position of the German water industry in the international market.
https://germanwaterpartnership.de/en/
The German Association of Local Utilities (VKU) represents the interests of the local public utility sector in Germany, which includes both supply and disposal services. The VKU has around 1,500 member companies, the majority of which work in the areas of energy supply, water supply and sanitation, waste management, municipal cleaning and telecommunications. With more than 285,000 employees, the member companies recorded turnover of around EUR 119 billion and invested more than EUR billion in 2018. The skills and experience of German municipal enterprises in the area of public service tasks are extremely valuable in development work. The Association promotes the development commitment of its member companies and supports them in planning and implementing corresponding projects and establishing international partnerships.
https://www.vku.de/en/
The Service Agency is a department of Engagement Global, whose mission is to support and strengthen the developmental commitment of schools, associations, foundations, individuals, the private sector and civil society in Germany. Since 2001, the Service Agency has been the competence centre for municipal development cooperation on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation and the cofinancing federal states. On a non-profit basis and free of charge, it informs, advises, connects, supports, trains and motivates municipal actors in accordance with target-group needs.
The key themes of the Service Agency are municipal partnerships, fair trade and fair procurement, migration and development, and localising the 2030 Agenda.
In the pilot phase of the project (July 2019 to June 2024), the Utility Platform was implemented as a cooperation project between SKEW and GIZ. During this time, the SKEW team organized events, training courses for operators and the public relations.