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
Supercool Ltd: Henry Parkes discussing child poverty at Parliamentary Work and Pensions Committee
Source: Supercool Ltd Author: Liam Evans Date published: 2026-04-17 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) is an independent charity working towards a fairer, greener, and more prosperous society....
Upjohn Research: Are the Self-Employed Really Their Own Boss?: Evidence on the Degree of Autonomy and Control the Self-Employed Have Over Their Work
Source: Upjohn Research Author: Katharine G. Abraham et al. Date published: 2026-04-17 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Self-employment is commonly equated with being one’s own boss. This implies that, compared to employees, the...
Regional Economies: World Bank and IMF See Economic Slowdown Across Central Asia and the Caucasus
Source: Regional Economies Author: OilPrice.com Date published: 2026-04-17 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The World Bank and International Monetary Fund are predicting growth rates to slow in the coming years across Central Asia and the...
SmartCitiesWorld News: Los Angeles releases latest Climate Action Plan
Source: SmartCitiesWorld News Author: SmartCitiesWorld news team Date published: 2026-04-17 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Los Angeles releases latest Climate Action PlanBass made the announcement at the Donald C Tillman Water Reclamation...
Local Growth and the United Kingdom: Towards an industrial skills strategy
Source: Local Growth and the United Kingdom Author: Charlie Jeffery Date published: 2026-04-17 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] If there is a persistent theme in the ambitions of the Labour government elected in 2024, it is growth: growth to...
Combined Authorities (England): Rochdale Development Agency delivers £14.30 return for every £1 invested, report finds
Source: Combined Authorities (England) Author: Manchester's Finest Date published: 2026-04-17 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] An independent economic impact assessment has found that Rochdale Development Agency is generating £14.30 in local...
Local Growth and the United Kingdom: Why devolution is critical to delivering the Integrated National Transport Strategy
Source: Local Growth and the United Kingdom Author: Lee Kenny Date published: 2026-04-17 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The publication of the government’s Better Connected: a strategy for integrated transport at the start of April marks a...
Local Economies (UK): Music Venue Trust announces grassroots funding scheme for equipment and soundsystems
Source: Local Economies (UK) Author: unknown Date published: 2026-04-16 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] UK music charity Music Venue Trust (MVT) has revealed details around its new investment programme, ‘Raise The Standard’, providing...
SmartCitiesWorld News: Digital Dubai launches AI training initiative for the workforce
Source: SmartCitiesWorld News Author: SmartCitiesWorld news team Date published: 2026-04-16 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Digital Dubai launches AI training initiative for the workforceAeriSkyscrapers Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai lo...