Organisation: German Development Service ( DED)

The German Development Service (DED) is one of the leading European development services for personnel secondment. It was founded in 1963 and is funded by the Federal Republic of Germany. Since then, more than 16,000 technical advisors have committed themselves to improve the living conditions of people in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Almost 2,000 technical advisors are currently working in 47 countries. Their aims and objectives amongst others are to fight poverty, to promote self-determined and sustainable development and to preserve natural resources. On the basis of bilateral agreements with the governments of partner countries, DED places technical advisors at the request of organisations in these countries.

DED’s Involvement in LED
DED has been involved on national, provincial, district and local levels. Besides the support given at different levels of public administration, DED assists local development agencies. Local chambers of commerce and business associations are also supported and promoted through local advisors. DED uses and encourages instruments of Corporate Social Responsibility and Public-Private-Partnerships.

In 2009 SALGA entered a partnership with DED and the SA LED Network and decided to collaborate. SALGA requested an international advisor to work strongly in cooperation with the SA LED Network and Local Municipalities throughout South Africa in the field of LED.
The DED has always been a very strong supporter of the SA LED Network. Three international advisors have already been placed at the Network, the development of the website was supported as well as the first LED conference in collaboration with the IDC that took place in Feb 2009.