Introduction

In order for Local Economic Development (LED) to be effective, a community needs to identify and consider its own economic strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and agree a shared strategy. LED strategic planning offers communities the opportunity to work together to improve the local economy and enhance competitiveness, thereby encouraging sustainable and inclusive growth. 

Making Local Economic Development Strategies: A Trainer’s Manual has been developed as a resource to train municipal officials and community representatives in the core elements of local economic development strategic planning. The Manual consists of six separate but complimentary sections that together form a comprehensive teaching tool for devising an LED strategy.

The Trainer’s Guide to Manual outlines the core trainer competences, approach and requirements necessary to successfully deliver the LED training program. The five teaching modules that follow comprise the training program and provide a structured approach to learning, reflecting the five stage approach to LED strategic planning. Each module is accompanied by a supporting series of PowerPoint slides, exercises, templates and supplementary learning materials.

Making Local Economic Development Strategies: A Trainer’s Manual is not intended to be prescriptive, but rather, aims to offer an example of how to facilitate strategic planning for local economic development as an integral component of municipal activity. The Manual explains the core complexities associated with devising an LED strategic plan so that they are more easily understood.

Making Local Economic Development Strategies: A Trainer’s Manual:

• Trainer's Guide to Manual

• Module 1: Introduction to LED and Organizing the Effort

• Module 2: Introduction to the Local Economy Assessment

• Module 3: Formulating the LED Strategy

• Module 4: LED Strategy Implementation

• Module 5: Strategy Review

Making Local Economic Development Strategies: A Trainer’s Manual is a knowledge product of the World Bank and Cities of Change Initiative, and was produced in conjunction with the Bertelsmann Foundation.

The Manual was written and produced by the Local Economic Development team based in the Urban Development Unit of the World Bank. The methodology was developed by Gwen Swinburn, Senior Urban Specialist, with assistance from Fergus Murphy, Consultant. Contributions and advice were gratefully received from Nikolas Beckmann, Bertelsmann Foundation, Bonnie Walter, Consultant, and André Herzog, Consultant. Information used in this guide was obtained with permission from the publication ‘Local Economic Development: Good Practice from the European Union and Beyond’, 2000, an unpublished paper prepared by Gwen Swinburn for the Urban Development Unit of the World Bank.

Feedback and ideas are requested to be sent to Urban Help,  urbanhelp@worldbank.org.