Local expert operations

Since May 2025, development advisor Kurt-Michael Baudach has been supporting the partnership between the cities of Essen and Cochabamba in Bolivia. This is a municipal climate partnership that, over the past two years, has developed a joint action program for climate protection and adaptation to climate change and its impacts. In the implementation phase, the partnership is initially focusing on (re)forestation and urban tree care.

Cochabamba is Bolivia’s third-largest city, with a population of over one million (approx. 1.23 million). Due to its growing urban population, dense settlement patterns, natural resources, and rich biodiversity, Cochabamba plays a particularly important role in adapting to the impacts of climate change.

With the support and expertise of international development advisor Kurt Baudach – an expert in resource management, agroecology, and municipal partnerships – the institutional and human capacities of the local government’s forestry department in Cochabamba are being strengthened. The focus lies on sustainable and efficient urban tree management, including qualitative monitoring of urban trees, fostering the participation of local communities and stakeholders in tree conservation and reforestation efforts, and facilitating technical exchange with the city of Essen.

The expert Lancine Kouyaté has been supporting the partnership between Dortmund and Dabola, Guinea, since August. The local expert works in the town hall as a technical advisor, responsible for waste management and environmental education. On the one hand, this involves advising the city administration of Dabola on measures to organise regulated and sustainable waste management, and on the other hand, preparing the concept for the establishment and operation of a municipal environmental education centre. In the area of environmental education, the focus is particularly on strengthening the partnership between Dabola and Dortmund.

Kateryna Serhiienko supports the trilateral partnership between Krefeld, Venlo (Netherlands), and Kropyvnytskyi in building a structured and long-term collaboration to promote local economic development in Kropyvnytskyi. Based on an analysis of local development needs, a partnership strategy and joint action plan are developed, serving as a roadmap for future trilateral activities. A central area of work is the development and implementation of joint projects in priority fields such as economic promotion, infrastructure, environmental protection, and digitalisation. In addition, the expert assists the city administration in identifying relevant donors and preparing applications for funding programmes, particularly within the EU context. Through close cooperation with all three partner cities, the assignment strengthens both operational collaboration and knowledge exchange within the trilateral partnership, contributing to sustainable economic development in Kropyvnytskyi.

Oleksandr Lymar supports EcoService 2022 – Ukraine’s first intermunicipal waste management association – and its four member municipalities in further developing their services and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. Building on previous successes in separate waste collection, existing structures are analysed, recommendations for action are developed, and concrete measures to improve service quality are implemented. A particular focus lies on further developing the business and tariff system and identifying additional funding sources to strengthen the organisation’s financial stability.

In addition, the expert promotes knowledge exchange with the Bergischer Abfallverband and other national and international partners. Through workshops, dialogue formats, and participation in relevant networks, best practices are adapted and innovative waste management solutions are implemented. The assignment thus plays a key role in establishing EcoService 2022 as a model for intermunicipal waste management in Ukraine and in further deepening the partnership with German counterparts.

Renata Gradinaru supports the partnership between Drochia and Oberhausen in preparing the municipal administration for the upcoming territorial reform and in strategically strengthening local economic development. The focus lies on consolidating existing development plans and analysing the impacts of the administrative reform on local structures and services. By organising dialogue formats with neighbouring municipalities and key stakeholders, the expert contributes to the development of a coordinated and forward-looking development strategy. Another key area of work is the development of a donor strategy for Drochia. This includes identifying suitable funding sources, providing support in applying for infrastructure and economic development programmes, and building relationships with relevant funding institutions. In addition, the expert supports joint projects within the partnership with Oberhausen and assists with public relations activities. Overall, the assignment contributes to strengthening municipal capacities, mobilising external resources, and deepening municipal cooperation.