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 31 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
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?

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Founded by Glenn Athey, an Economic Development Professional and Advisor With 31 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
Supercool Ltd: The Great North Partnership could help unlock billions, says IPPR North
Source: Supercool Ltd Author: Maeve Schaffer Date published: 2026-02-04 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The leading think tank in the north of England says The Great North partnership and government should act collaboratively to establish...
Local Economies (UK): The role of The Great North in delivering pan-northern investment
Source: Local Economies (UK) Author: Abi Hynes Date published: 2026-02-04 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The UK’s economic success relies on northern growth. The Great North represents an economy of 16 million people and an economy larger...
Regional Economies: While elites debate geopolitics, Americans are rethinking college in the search for economic mobility
Source: Regional Economies Author: Ed Mitzen Date published: 2026-02-03 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] At the Davos World Economic Forum, the most powerful government leaders and tech billionaires gathered for their annual open discussion...
Local Economies (UK): UK names Barnsley as first Tech Town to see whether AI can fix… well, anything
Source: Local Economies (UK) Author: unknown Date published: 2026-02-03 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] AI-pocalypse Barnsley, a town in South Yorkshire, England, best known for coal mining and glassmaking, is being thrust into the...
wri.org news and views: Inside Colombia’s New 2035 Climate Plan: What You Need to Know
Source: wri.org news and views Author: alicia.cypress@wri.org Date published: 2026-02-02 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Inside Colombia’s New 2035 Climate Plan: What You Need to Know alicia.cypress… Mon, 02/02/2026 - 08:20 The center of...
SmartCitiesWorld News: British Columbia launches competitive process for clean power
Source: SmartCitiesWorld News Author: SmartCitiesWorld news team Date published: 2026-02-02 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] At a glance Who: British Columbia; BC Hydro. What: British Columbia and BC Hydro have announced a competitive...
