State Office Bavaria

Partner for dialogue

GIZ's State Office Bavaria is dedicated to linking the business sector and civil society on a national and state level. We have a particular interest in strengthening the Free State of Bavaria’s international standing as a centre for knowledge, innovation and technology. This is why we work closely with the Bavarian government, which provides premises in Feldafing for an International Training Centre. This site is also home to GIZ's "Rural development, Food and Consumer Protection" competence centre.

Training and dialogue programmes

Our international programmes focus on Asia and Africa. We offer training seminars and programmes on technology transfer that address key topics such as renewable energy sources, managing waste, waste water and recycling, and nanotechnology to experts and executives from Bavarian partner countries and provinces such as Shandong in China, Bangalore in India, Vietnam, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Nigeria (Lagos State), Ghana and Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape in South Africa.

The contacts created our between Inwent fellows and Bavarian companies involved in our programmes increase the innovative power and success of Bavarian businesses on foreign markets.

Our State Office has supported economic cooperation between Malaysia and the Free State of Bavaria since 2003. Bavaria entrusted Inwent with the management of a study programme that has enabled around 170 students from Malaysia to complete a degree in engineering at a Bavarian university.

Education for development

International cooperation requires a wide base of support at home. The State Office Bavaria offers intercultural training programmes, seminars and events to promote tolerance and an understanding of other cultures. We support the exchange of knowledge and discussions of issues facing development cooperation peace policy, and encourage involvement in processes of change that influence these positively.

Our educational programmes target members of the media, those who work with young people and elected political representatives.

International Circles

The International Circles (IK) forum in Munich is charged with promoting intercultural dialogue. GIZ volunteers and programme fellows work together to offer cultural events and forums at which experts and executives from abroad can meet with interested citizens from the region to exchange ideas. This intercultural exchange gives GIZ participants a chance to experience Germany and the people who live here first hand.