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
Local Economies (UK): London wins the prestigious global 2026 Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize
Source: Local Economies (UK) Author: 2026-03-24T08:24:13+0000 Date published: 2026-03-24 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] London recognised for world-class innovation, strategic leadership and transformative urban development. The capital...
Combined Authorities (England): The People’s Network: South Yorkshire Takes Back Control of Transport
Source: Combined Authorities (England) Author: Jane Thomas Date published: 2026-03-23 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Like a phoenix rising the people of former “socialist republic of South Yorkshire” now have their own transport network I...
Regional Economies: The Iran oil crisis is the worst energy shock ever recorded. World leaders aren’t ready, says IEA chief
Source: Regional Economies Author: Jake Angelo Date published: 2026-03-23 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The oil crises of the 1970s prompted a range of policy changes that still exist today. For one, we invented the high occupancy vehicle...
Combined Authorities (England): How the Midlands Defence and Security Industry Council is set to boost jobs and regional growth
Source: Combined Authorities (England) Author: unknown Date published: 2026-03-23 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] As the Midlands continues to strengthen its role in the UK’s defence future, we reflect on the Midlands Defence and Security...
Econ Dev Show Podcast – Economic Development: How a Town of 30,000 Competes (and Wins) in Economic Development with Tim Hanigan
Source: Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development Author: unknown Date published: 2026-03-23 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Social Network Quick Links View original article at:
Regional Economies: Larry Fink says today’s economic anxiety stems from people increasingly feeling like capitalism isn’t working for them
Source: Regional Economies Author: Eleanor Pringle Date published: 2026-03-23 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] In just weeks, Wall Street has gone from optimistically waving off the U.S. and Israel’s strikes on Iran as a short-term blip to...
Local Economies (UK): Trump’s economic shocks are derailing Britain’s building plans
Source: Local Economies (UK) Author: Phillip Inman Date published: 2026-03-21 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Donald Trump has done his best to crush the green shoots of the global, post-pandemic economic recovery – nowhere more so than in...
Regional Economies: ‘Very damaging’: how the Iran war is hitting energy-intensive industries
Source: Regional Economies Author: Alex Daniel and Lisa O’Carroll Date published: 2026-03-17 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] In its 160-year history, Somers Forge’s furnaces in the Black Country have cast steel columns for the Bank of...
Local Growth and the United Kingdom: Chancellor’s growth plan sets key principles for UK-EU alignment
Source: Local Growth and the United Kingdom Author: unknown Date published: 2026-03-17 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Reeves sets out the next phase of the government’s growth plan to build a stronger, more secure economy in an uncertain...