CPD, training and skills in Local and Regional Economic Development
Expert knowledge, proven frameworks, and practical tools for local authority officers, consultants, and practitioners delivering regional growth strategies, innovation programmes, and place-based policy – built from 32 years of working in the field
- 15 hours of on-demand courses covering the 8 disciplines of local and regional economic development
- Practical workbooks (e.g. FDI from scratch; develop a great project idea)
- Community, chatrooms, discussion
- Mentoring and coaching support
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Skills and training in local and regional economic development
The Local and Regional Economic Development Handbook
The Practitioner’s Guide for Everyone Whose Work Shapes Places and Economies
Whether you work in planning, property, higher education, skills, government, or community development — the economic forces reshaping UK places are directly reshaping your work. And if you work in economic development itself, you’ve never had a handbook like this one.
The Local & Regional Economic Development Handbook is the comprehensive, honest, practitioner-authored guide to how local economies work, why economic development so often fails to deliver what it promises, and what those working in and around the field can do differently.
Endorsements
“A big shout out to Glenn Athey who has taken his many years in economic development consultancy and created Economic Development World (www.economicdevelopment.world), the UK’s first online community for local and regional economic development that provides CPD, on-demand lean learning, a community of peers and workbooks. Built on three pillars of accelerated learning, shared knowledge and community support, it is a fabulous resource for our industry.
“From what I have seen already, this has the potential to create a step change in how the UK delivers economic development, putting the skills and development of practitioners, whether newbies or old hands, front and centre. Get yourselves signed up, get involved and support this great initiative.”
Adam Breeze, Breeze Strategy
“2026 has to be the year that economic development professionals take the important steps, from policy comment, strategic views, to decisive practictioner application and delivery. Critical is to have an accessible platform for CPD, training, and a focused community to ask questions and discuss best practice and aspects of local and regional economic development. I am delighted that an established and respected colleague Glenn Athey has founded and created this resource on www.economicdevelopment.world .”
Mark Pearson, Head of Economic Development, Reading's Economy & Destination Agency (REDA)
Want Local and Regional Economic Development Strategies that Actually Get Implemented?
Want to Persuade Political Leaders to Invest in Economic Development?
Struggling to Make the Case for Innovation Funding?
Founded by Glenn Athey, an Economic Development Professional and Advisor With 32 Years of Supporting UK Economic Development
LPIP Fellow, University of Birmingham
Author of "The Local and Regional Economic Development Handbook"
Latest News and Advice
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External news
Economic Innovation Group: 4 reasons why AI (probably) won’t take your job
Source: Economic Innovation Group Author: Stephen Leverton Date published: 2026-03-05 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The post 4 reasons why AI (probably) won’t take your job appeared first on Economic Innovation Group. View original...
Regional Economies: Gas Prices “Around $5 Per Gallon”? Economist Warns of Rising Fuel Costs as Conflict in Iran Escalates
Source: Regional Economies Author: Ryan Whalen Date published: 2026-03-05 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] In the chaos of the Iran conflict, U.S. consumers may soon face “sticker shock” as disruptions to the global energy supply chain...
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...