Essential Economic Development
A Foundation Course for Local and Regional Economic Development
17 lessons, 2.5 hours. Learn the fundamentals of local and regional economic development for free.
Access the course via our community learning site. Or subscribe via email to get a daily lesson emailed directly to you.
Access via our community learning site:
Access the course via our community learning site here. The 17 lessons are structured as follows:
1. Rationale for Local and Regional Economic Development
2. Overview of themes and functions
3. Understanding economics and economic trends
4. Megatrends
5. Theory of Economic Development
6. Policy
7. Strategy
8. Intelligence & insight
9. Industrial development & clusters
10. Enterprise & entrepreneurship
11. Inward investment / FDI
12. Labour markets
13. Education & skills
14. Economic Participation, Employability and Unemployment
15. Poverty & inequality
16. Place & infrastructure
17. Low carbon, climate change & sustainability
Register here to get free access to the Foundation course’s 17 lessons
Email course: Register below for your 17-Daily lessons by email
Combined Authorities (England): Connecting the North: How UKREiiF is accelerating regional investment and long-term regeneration
Source: Combined Authorities (England) Author: David Booth Date published: 2026-03-05 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] James is marketing director at UKREiiF As the UK works to rebalance its economic geography, unlocking investment in...
Combined Authorities (England): Devolution cannot arrive quickly enough for transport reform
Source: Combined Authorities (England) Author: unknown Date published: 2026-03-05 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] A futuristic Waymo driverless taxi welcomed visitors at the entrance to the Interchange transport conference in Manchester...
The Strategist: In contested times, Australia needs to take social cohesion seriously
Source: The Strategist Author: John Coyne and Justin Bassi Date published: 2026-03-04 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The health of Australia’s democracy; the combined freedom, security and resilience of its society; and the credibility of...
News & Events | EUI: In 2026, the Urban Agenda for the EU celebrates 10 years since its launch under the Pact of Amsterdam, a milestone that marks a decade of closer cooperation between cities, Member States and EU institutions. As part of this anniversary year, a two-day event entitled “Cities at the Core: 10 Years of the Urban Agenda for the EU and the Way Ahead” will take place, highlighting the achievements of the past decade and exploring the future of EU urban policy.
Source: News & Events | EUI Author: unknown Date published: 2026-03-03 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Cities at the core Cities are essential to delivering Europe’s strategic objectives, from sustainability and competitiveness to social...
Regional Economies: Top economist Mohamed El-Erian warns of stagflation gripping the entire world economy the longer the Iran war goes on
Source: Regional Economies Author: Tristan Bove Date published: 2026-03-03 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The global economy has withstood plenty of turmoil in the past few years, staving off a widely predicted recession in 2022, but the...
Regional Economies: Stock markets slump amid Iran war as gas prices jump 30% to three-year high
Source: Regional Economies Author: Julia Kollewe and Graeme Wearden in London and Lauren Aratani in New York Date published: 2026-03-03 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The war in the Middle East has plunged financial markets into turmoil...
Regional Economies: Iran War Poses New Risk to US Economic Resilience
Source: Regional Economies Author: unknown Date published: 2026-03-03 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] A U.S. economy that has weathered a year of trade, immigration and other shocks now faces a new test likely to ratchet up uncertainty...
Cities & Communities | Brookings: The local implications of data centers for rural communities in the US
Source: Cities & Communities | Brookings Author: unknown Date published: 2026-03-02 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Executive summary Market and geopolitical forces are accelerating the race to develop artificial intelligence (AI), and the...
wri.org news and views: How Can We Unlock Climate Progress in Difficult Times? Leading Experts Weigh In
Source: wri.org news and views Author: margaret.overholt@wri.org Date published: 2026-03-02 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] How Can We Unlock Climate Progress in Difficult Times? Leading Experts Weigh In margaret.overh… Mon, 03/02/2026 -...