DGIS is responsible for development cooperation policy and for its coordination, implementation and funding. An important DGIS focus is coherence between Dutch and EU policy on developing countries. In order to formulate and carry out development policy, the Netherlands works with the governments of other countries and with international organizations such as the UN, the World Bank and the EU. Civil society is another important source of partners, which include non-governmental organizations such as Novib and interest groups such as the employers’ confederation, VNO/NCW, and the small and medium-sized enterprise lobby group, MKB-Nederland. DGIS themes include gender, AIDS, education, sustainable economic development and the environment.
