Local economic development agency Arr720s: applied regional and rural economic development

outline Local Economic Development Agency : history, vision, mission, values and mechanisms

objectives To examine the mandate, roles and activities associated with Namibia’s Local Economic Development Agency To engage students and assess their understanding through interactive discussions

Local economic development agency (LEDA) A division of the erstwhile Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development (currently Ministry of Urban and Rural Development) Supports local and regional authorities in promoting local economic development (LED)

Leda history Publication of White paper on Local and Regional Economic Development in 2009 White paper called for establishment of LEDA LEDA created in 2011 Subsequent drafting of LEDA strategy: Okambara (June 2012)

LEDA vision “Focal point for LED in Namibia” An institutional framework for facilitation and implementation of LED

Leda mission “To support local authorities, regional councils and economic regions to stimulate sustainable economic development through the provision of capacity building, policy advice, financial support, strategy development, and networking services”

LEDA values Responsiveness, market and demand-orientation Sustainability: indigenous economic solutions Accountability and transparency Innovation in spearheading growth

Leda mechanisms Capacity building Strategy development Strategy implementation Funding Networking

Capacity building LED sensitisation Economic assessment tools Stakeholder engagement Town governance and vision Spatial planning Creating a business plan Fund raising Project management Monitoring and evaluation

Strategy development Based on comparative advantages and existing value chains Focuses on business expansion, retention and attraction

Strategy development: steps Local authority (LA) and regional council (RC) identify need for an LED strategy LA/RC send request and background information to LEDA LEDA checks request and grants assistance LEDA and LA/RC organise LED sensitisation workshop

Strategy development: steps (cont’d) LEDA provides funding to LA/RC to hire a consultant and assist with terms of reference LED strategy is developed and implemented by consultant LA/RC sends a financial report to LEDA LED strategy is adopted by LA/RC

Strategy implementation LEDA provides project funding and technical assistance Technical assistance: dissemination of project management tools, town profiling, spatial planning, marketing

Strategy implementation: project examples Beautification of Grootfontein Fruit ‘n’ Vegetable Festival in Tsumeb Investors’ Conference in Arandis Maize Triangle Tourism Route Oshikuku Chicken Farm Otavi Textile Cooperative Outapi Open Market SME Services and Goods Directory in Swakopmund Tsumeb Weekend Market

Funding LEDA links LAs and RCs to national funds and development finance Funding sources: Ministry of Trade and Industry, Namibia Investment Centre, Development Bank of Namibia

networking Annual LED Conferences: Fourth LED Pathfinders Conference (Windhoek Country Club Resort) LED Forums: Northern Regional Forums (Oshakati, Oshikuku, Okahao etc.) Public-private dialogues

Discussion questions Assess the background and history of the Local Economic Development Agency (LEDA). Outline the vision and mission of LEDA. What are the values which guide LEDA’s activities? Discuss the five main mechanisms adopted by LEDA in achieving its mandate.

review Sub-theme Details Local Economic Development Agency (LEDA) A division of the erstwhile Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development (currently Ministry of Urban and Rural Development) Supports local and regional authorities in promoting local economic development (LED) LEDA History Publication of White paper on Local and Regional Economic Development in 2009 White paper called for establishment of LEDA LEDA created in 2011 Subsequent drafting of LEDA strategy: Okambara (June 2012) LEDA Vision “Focal point for LED in Namibia” An institutional framework for facilitation and implementation of LED LEDA Mission “To support local authorities, regional councils and economic regions to stimulate sustainable economic development through the provision of capacity building, policy advice, financial support, strategy development, and networking services” LEDA Values Responsiveness, market and demand-orientation Sustainability: indigenous economic solutions Accountability and transparency Innovation in spearheading growth LEDA Mechanisms Capacity building Strategy development Strategy implementation Funding Networking

Course evaluations and plan for remainder of semester High ratings for teaching approach Most useful aspects of class: discussions, debates, group and individual presentations, learning based on local content and what is happening on the ground, clear communication and helpfulness by lecturer Least useful aspects: reading of questions during discussion session Recommendations: use videos during lectures, stop reading questions during discussion session, consider introducing classes after hours or during lunch, more group/class discussions, take or organise a day to meet policy makers

reference Republic of Namibia: Ministry of Urban and Rural Development. (n. d.). Local Economic Development Agency. Retrieved from www.murd.gov.na/led.