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
wri.org news and views: How Advanced Transmission Technologies Can Revamp the Aging US Power Grid
Source: wri.org news and views Author: alicia.cypress@wri.org Date published: 2025-07-10 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] How Advanced Transmission Technologies Can Revamp the Aging US Power Grid alicia.cypress… Thu, 07/10/2025 - 13:00 The...
wri.org news and views: A Comprehensive Guide for Safer Roads and Livable Cities
Source: wri.org news and views Author: shannon.paton@wri.org Date published: 2025-07-09 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] A Comprehensive Guide for Safer Roads and Livable Cities shannon.paton@… Wed, 07/09/2025 - 12:17 Road traffic crashes...
wri.org news and views: The US Can’t Build a Competitive Industrial Future without Centering Communities
Source: wri.org news and views Author: alicia.cypress@wri.org Date published: 2025-07-08 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The US Can’t Build a Competitive Industrial Future without Centering Communities alicia.cypress… Tue, 07/08/2025 -...
Lessons in Industrial Cluster Policy from Eight Countries
I’ve been taking a deep dive on industry cluster development policies and delivery! Here are the highlights of best practice for industrial cluster development, drawing from eight countries and regions… Ireland: Clear, Consistent, and Long-Term Strategic Vision:...
Six lessons for industry cluster development in regions
What are the main lessons and best practices for industry cluster and industrial development? Synthesizing the approaches of Ireland, USA, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and the UK reveals a powerful set of common lessons and best...
Inward Investment Insight: UK Inward Investment Results 2025-26
Inward Investment Insight Adam Breeze 2025-06-30 The UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has released their annual foreign direct investment results for 2025-26. It’s like Christmas Day for inward investment nerds like me. The annual results generate a rare...
Centre for Cities: City Minutes: Enterprise Zones
Source: Centre for Cities Author: unknown Date published: 2025-06-30 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Chief Executive Andrew Carter is joined by Victoria Sutherland, Deputy Director of Evidence at the What Works Centre for Local Economic...
7 Lessons for Enterprise and FDI Support from a Programme Review
A couple of years ago I helped a region review its approach to enterprise and business growth and inward investment promotion. One of my key observations was that - this region is renowned for being a tech and business success, but in reality this success was in a...
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Economic Development Agencies and Teams
Economic Development Agencies (EDAs) and Teams play a crucial role in fostering sustainable growth and improving quality of life. But what separates the truly impactful agencies and teams from the rest? Drawing on my Ph.D. research into what makes these...