LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (LED) in RWANDA

LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Local Economic Development (LED) is first and foremost a process that is participatory. It offers local government, the private sector, the not-for- profit sectors and the local community the opportunity to work together to improve the local economy. It aims to enhance competitiveness and thus encourage sustainable growth that is inclusive.

WHO DOES LED? PRIVATE SECTOR CITIZENS PARTICIPATION! PUBLIC SECTOR

WHAT DOES LED MEAN FOR RWANDA? Poverty Reduction Citizen Participation Pro-poor Economic Development

RALGA and LED: THE EARLY DAYS 2006: RALGA and GIZ set up LED programme Objective: Enhance Capacity of the Districts in Local Economic Development Activities: Pilot Project Local Economic Assessments and LED plans Main output: Lessons learned in how to approach LED support in Rwanda

RALGA and LED: LESSONS LEARNED We learned: Policy is necessary to support LED in Rwanda There were too many overlapping plans in the District- This hindered LED The concept of LED is not understood at both central and local levels A weak relationship exists between the public and private sectors

NATIONAL FRAMEWORK Following Lobbying & Advocacy by RALGA, LED is included in national policy EDPRS 2 Decentralization Implementation Plan 2 Pillar 6: Local Economic Development National Strategy for Community Development and Local Economic Development Rwanda Local Development Support Fund responsible for LED

RALGA and LED: 2013 and beyond Based on RALGA core mandate: Representation Lobbying and Advocacy Capacity Building

REPRESENTATION National Steering Committee for LED LED Technical Working Group Development Partner Platforms Any LED forums nationally and internationally Board Member RLDSF

LOBBYING & ADVOCACY Advocacy for National Strategy implementation Identification of LED issues: Position papers Adhoc lobbying on behalf of districts as issues arise in LED and the implementation of national strategy Recommendations for the improvement of District Development Plans

CAPACITY BUILDING ToT for coaches & institutions Training Resources Training at the District Level Councillors District Staff JADF LG Innovation Day themes related to “Promoting Local Economic Development

OTHER INITIATIVES Sharing Best Practices Public Private Dialogue Annual LG Innovation Competition 2012: Promoting Local Economic Development 2013: Innovative Initiatives for off-farm job creation” Study Tours LED Magazine Public Private Dialogue Partnership with Rwanda Public Private Dialogue Secretariat Business Lunch Initiative

CHALLENGES remaining Weak understanding of LED in Rwanda Weak institutional knowledge & support Need a coordinated approach by supporters of public and private sector

OPPORTUNITIES National Policy, Strategy and Agenda – Political will Funding available Joint Action Development Forum (JADF) Local PPD initiatives Innovate to find new ways to encourage Public Private Dialogue & Cooperation

KICK-STARTING LED KNOW your role LISTEN to the private sector CREATE awareness and understanding of Local Economic Development

THANK YOU !