A number of important topics will be covered in this guide. Beginning with an exploration of the meaning and purpose of local economic development, the narrative moves to a discussion on the characteristics and determinants of the enabling environment and community readiness for LED followed by a brief overview of evidence-based economic development; an introduction to the principles and importance of strategic planning; a comprehensive discussion on the myriad of LED functions and modalities (i.e., structures and instruments); an introduction and exploration of the importance of building in gender equality and environmental sustainability considerations in LED eff orts; and, concludes with a discussion on benchmarking, monitoring and measuring results. For illustrative purposes a variety of international best practices and lessons learned are included. Importantly, the order of topics and the arrangement of various subtopics within major sections are intended to provide a logical framework to the discussion and are not intended to imply either a linear approach to LED or some hierarchy of themes. Further, the discussion does not intend to provide or imply a specifi c LED formula applicable in all settings, nor does it introduce a set of rigid rules by which LED must necessarily proceed. Rather this guide is intended to present and explore ideas, provide insights and show practical examples from which an eff ective and ultimately successful LED program can be uniquely formulated and pursued.
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INTRODUCTION TO LED
- Defining LED
- Context of LED
- LED Guiding Principles
- Importance of LED Guiding Principles To Economic Transition
- Some Closing Thoughts
LED ENABLING ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY READINESS
- Enabling Environment
- Stakeholder Engagement and Participation
- Participatory Planning
- Legal Environment
- Legal Environment In Canada-Implications for LED: an Example
- LED Financing and Resourcing
- Community Readiness
QUANTITATIVE FORECASTING AND COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS IN LED PLANNING – EBED’S EXPERIENCE IN UKRAINE
- Demographic Forecasting
- Economic Forecasting
- Budget Forecasting
- Preparation of Gender-Responsive Budgets
- Benchmarking
STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR LED
- Importance of Planning
- Context of LED Planning within Local Government
- Case for Strategic Planning
- Strategic Planning Framework
- Competitiveness Assessment
- Setting Directions and Priorities
- Development Principles
- Change Management
- LED Organizational/Operational Structures and Governance
LED INSTRUMENTS
- Business Retention and Expansion
- Workforce Development
- Entrepreneurial Development
- Business and Investment Attraction
- Community Cash Flow Development
- Crosscutting Functions – Research and Marketing
GENDER EQUALITY AND LED
- Gender Equality and LED
- Understanding Gender Inequalities and Diff erences: What is Important to Know?
- Developing LED Strategies
- Gender Equality Issues
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND LED
- Integration of Environmental Sustainability into LED
- Environmental Sustainability of LED at the Functional Level
- Environmental Sustainability of LED at the Organizational Level
- Environmental Sustainability and LED in Rural Communities
DEFINING EXPECTED RESULTS AND TRACKINGPROGRESS/SUCCESS
- What is Performance Evaluation
APPENDICES
- Appendix One: Common LED Acronyms
- Appendix Two: Glossary of Key Terms and Defi nitions
- Appendix Three: Bibliography and References