The most fundamental challenges of cities, big and small, are linked to their capacity to generate wealth and economic opportunities. The economic vibrancy and resilience of cities largely determine their ability to deal with a host of other development issues, including fighting poverty and absorbing population influx. Whatever the context and triggering point, the case for local economic development is strong as has been highlighted by the impact of the recent global economic crisis.  While the rationale to support cities in developing their economies is clear, the question is how to do it.

The Local Economic Development (LED) series is a resource for local governments, local government trainers, businesses and civil society organizations to help them initiate and implement local economic development interventions through a strategic planning process. The series, a joint publication of UN-HABITAT and EcoPlan International, is comprised of five volumes; a Quick Guide that provides an overview of the key points and resources for Local Economic Development, a Manual explaining the process in ten steps, a Toolkit with tools designed to support each step, an Action Guide with case studies and inspiration for action and finally a Trainers’ Guide with useful advice and tools to assist trainers in the training process.

Volume 1: Quick Guide

The Quick Guide is an overview of the Local Economic Development Series which focuses on promoting local economic development through strategic planning. The Quick Guide contains summarized information and resources prepared for busy executives or those not intimately involved with planning for local economic development. It is also a handy tool for facilitators when approaching and communicating with city mayors and business leaders whose support for a strategic planning process is critical.

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Volume 2: Manual

The Manual is designed as a resource guide to walk stakeholders and the Local Economic Development planning team, step by step, through a strategy planning process. It provides a framework for how to get started, analyze the local economic situation of cities, towns and communities, and reach a consensus on Local Economic Development priorities, objectives, strategies and actions. The process in the Manual is developed around ten steps to planning excellence, and each of these steps is explained and illustrated in detail. The manual can be used to facilitate a stakeholder’s participatory strategy planning process for Local Economic Development, but also to design and conduct training workshops.

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Volume 3: Toolkit
Mirroring the “ten steps” to planning excellence explained in Volume 2: Manual, the Toolkit presents practical tools and activities to support the implementation of each of these steps. It is intended for planning teams facilitating the strategic planning process around Local Economic Development and resource persons conducting training sessions.

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Volume 4: Action Guide

The Action Guide identifies possible Local Economic Development actions and illustrates what communities around the world are doing to promote it. These actions are intended to spark creativity in generating practical solutions or in adapting them to the local context. The actions and case studies contained in the book are of four categories: Local Government Policy and Regulation, Initial Actions, Advanced Actions and Broad-Based Actions. Facilitators can use the highlights of case studies documented and cited in this book to inspire and stimulate stakeholders in generating appropriate responses to the local economic development challenges.

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Volume 5: Trainer’s Guide

The Trainer’s Guide has been developed to assist trainers in the design and delivery of training workshops adapted to the audience and to the local context. It provides field-tested advice on the efficient management of the training process, from workshop organization through to post-training evaluation, participant follow-up and monitoring. The Trainer’s Guide is intended for experienced trainers and facilitators who have a basic understanding and knowledge of the fundamental concepts of strategic planning and local economic development. However, it includes valuable tools that could be used in many other related training situations as well.

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