The German Global Compact Network (DGCN) is committed to realising the vision of a sustainable, inclusive and forward-looking world economy that delivers lasting benefits to people, communities and markets.

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Key Facts The German Global Compact Network

Aktiv in

  • Deutschland

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung (SDG)

What is The German Global Compact Network doing to achieve its goal?

The Network’s activities are aligned with the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles, focusing on human rights, labour standards, environmental protection and the prevention of corruption. The German Global Compact Network assists its members in translating these principles into sustainable development strategies and management processes and initiating change. The Network also plays a lead role in helping German businesses to understand and implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The German Global Compact Network offers a unique framework in which to discuss ways of making globalisation fairer and more equitable and realising this vision by means of appropriate strategies and activities. It does not see itself as a certification-based standard or regulatory instrument but as an open forum for sharing ideas and initiating change. The network promotes the sharing of experience and knowledge through various learning and dialogue formats:

  • Guidelines: a comprehensive thematic overview with examples of best practice
  • Webinars: introduction to a topic and appropriate solutions
  • Coaching: practical, group-based introduction to specific topics
  • Tools: tried and tested methods for practical application
  • Learning groups: ongoing sharing of experience on specific topics
  • Networking and events: interdisciplinary dialogue and sharing of experience

How does The German Global Compact Network work together in partnership to achieve its goal?

The United Nations Global Compact is the world’s largest and most important corporate sustainability initiative with around 14,000 corporate participants and other stakeholders from civil society, politics and academia in 170 countries. The German Global Compact Network is a forum for the UN Global Compact’s German signatories. As an official Local Network, its role and responsibilities are defined in a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN Global Compact. The DGCN’s governance structure comprises the assembly of participants, a multi-stakeholder steering committee, the DGCN Foundation and the DGCN office, known as the Focal Point. The committee maps out the strategic direction for the Network’s activities, based on the participants’ opinions and input from the UN Global Compact’s office in New York. The Focal Point is responsible for taking action to realise the strategic objectives.

How is The German Global Compact Network financed?

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH runs the German Global Compact Network’s Focal Point on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and in consultation with the German Federal Foreign Office (AA). Companies with sales of over USD 50 million are required to make a financial contribution to the UN Global Compact Foundation in New York. Smaller companies as well as German subsidiaries of UN Global Compact signatories are invited to make a donation to the non-profit foundation of the German Global Compact. In addition, fees are charged for some training offers. The corporate income is used to implement the learning and dialogue formats envisaged in the work program.