Junior Davis and Felicity Proctor Rural Economic & Enterprise Development: A framework for analysis & joint action Dhaka, Bangladesh 23rd November, 2004. Junior Davis and Felicity Proctor Natural Resources Institute (UK) j.davis@gre.ac.uk

Workshop Objectives Present the Rural Economic and Enterprise Development (REED) Framework Exchange relevant current and planned project and programme experience between practitioners and review in the light of the REED framework Review the potential utility of the REED framework in the Bangladesh context Consider options for follow up action research and learning in partnership with the NRI led programme

Hoped for Outputs Better understanding of REED as a framework to support multi-stakeholder processes for rural economic development and poverty reduction Shared learning between Bangladeshi programme practitioners set within rural and local economic development Emergence of a learning platform/network on REED/LED to support ongoing and future programme interventions Agreement on whether and how to take forward work on the validation of REED in the Bangladeshi context and possible future uptake

What is Local Economic Development Local economic development is about local people working together to achieve sustainable economic growth that brings economic benefits and quality of life improvements for all in the community. “Community” is here defined as a city, town, metropolitan area, or sub national region (World Bank, 2004).

Three Waves of local Economic Development Focus Tools 1960s to early 1980s: mobile manufacturing investment, attracting outside investment, especially the attraction of foreign direct investment hard infrastructure investments To achieve this regions/government/NGOs used: massive grants subsidized loans usually aimed at inward investing manufacturers & tax breaks subsidized hard infrastructure investment 1980s to mid 1990s: the retention and growing of existing local businesses still with an emphasis on inward investment attraction, but usually this was becoming more targeted to specific sectors or from certain geographic areas To achieve this regions/government/NGOs provided: direct payments to individual businesses business incubators/workspace advice and training for small- and medium-sized firms & technical support business start-up support some hard and soft infrastructure investment During this third (and current) wave of LED, more focus is placed on: soft infrastructure investments public/private partnerships networking and the leveraging of private sector investments for the public good highly targeted inward investment attraction to add to the competitive advantages of local areas To achieve this regions/government/NGOs are: developing a holistic strategy aimed at growing local firms & providing a competitive local investment climate supporting and encouraging networking and collaboration encouraging the development of business clusters encouraging workforce development and education closely targeting inward investment to support cluster growth; supporting quality of life improvements

Research on local economic development highlights: Significant role played by extensive and established local economy clusters Municipal/ local government plays a key role in impacting these economies Constraints are often inadequate political decentralization and regressive urban planning regulatory frameworks A purely "industrial" or “agricultural” focus excludes: extensive livelihood linkages in the rural and urban economy, governance aspects. importance of extensive trade networks inter-connecting distinctive local economies both rural and urban

What is REED? The Rural Economic and Enterprise Development is a framework based on the analysis of successes and experiences of programmes and projects by an international group of practitioners from different professional backgrounds and countries. REED framework offers a flexible tool for joint analysis, planning, evaluation and learning among stakeholders concerned with rural economic and enterprise development. It is an example of an holistic and spatial approach to local, rural and urban development.

The Evolution of REED Joint donor initiative (GTZ, DFID, SDC, IFAD, CTA, FAO, WB) to overcome fragmentation Framework developed based on success factors of operational experience from a diverse range of programmes (Berlin workshop November 2002) This was developed using the Learning Wheel methodology.

10. Ongoing learning from success and failures by all stakeholders 1. An enabling environment that provides for an attractive investment climate and dynamic entrepreneurship 10. Ongoing learning from success and failures by all stakeholders 2. Effective mechanisms and structures that address local needs 9.Active participation and ownership of development processes by well linked stakeholders 3. Active private sector institutions and links Fostering Rural Economic and Enterprise Development 8. Local organisation, groups and associations (representing the poor) as building blocks 4. Functioning and effective infrastructure (hard and soft) 5. Access to integrated and open markets 7. Adaptive management capacity and entrepreneurial competence within business and enterprises 6. Access to effective and efficient support services and resources

Using REED: in the planning process Use of the framework in the planning process for poverty oriented LED in rural and urban areas As a checklist in the planning process As a tool to define priorities with stakeholders and decision makers As a guideline in participatory planning with stakeholders As a tool for joint planning with different projects and donors As resource material for the REED/LED planning process

Using REED: in prioritising interventions Using the framework as a tool for selecting amongst intervention priorities (gateway function) For example: local and regional economic development promotion of value chains training and human resource development rural and urban business development services microfinance ....

Using REED: in monitoring & evaluation Use the framework for monitoring and evaluation: As a guideline to establish a M & E System As a tool for discussions with decision makers on changes observed As a tool for joint evaluation of different projects in the same region To help define indicators for results and impacts on different levels As a tool to establish benchmarks for regions and countries

The Cornerstones of Rural Economic and Enterprise Development framework Each cornerstone contains The aim of a cornerstone in the overall context of REED/LED Core elements of the cornerstone Key strategies to achieve best results Instruments and means of implementation Links to websites with information, experiences and best practices

The key elements of the ten REED Cornerstones Cornerstone 1. An enabling environment for an attractive investment climate and entrepreneurship. Good governance, improved reformed regulation, taxation, licensing, remove tariff and non-tariff barriers Cornerstone 2. Effective mechanisms and structures that address local needs. Effective decentralisation, empowerment of communities Cornerstone 3. Effective private sector institutions & links Build capacity of private BDS, enhance organisational capacity, create local business networks

The key elements of the ten REED Cornerstones Cornerstone 4. Functioning and effective infrastructure (hard and soft). Identify infrastructure needs of rural SMEs, Providing & maintaining required infrastructure, integrating into wider systems, quality dimensions Cornerstone 5. Access to integrated and effectively functioning markets. Access to markets, transparency & stability of markets, market chain integration & management, market development Cornerstone 6. Access to effective and efficient support services and resources. Provide information & specialised services, Develop market for service provision, provide contracted business services, supply inputs, access to finance & R&D facilities

The key elements of the ten REED Cornerstones Cornerstone 7. Adaptive management capacity and entrepreneurial competence within business and enterprises. Management & organisation, production & service generation, financing, marketing, networking Cornerstone 8. Local organisations, groups and associations (representing the poor) as building blocks. Understand organisational arrangements, motivate self-mobilisation, facilitate organisational development, ensure organisational graduation to higher and appropriate levels of formalisation

The key elements of the ten REED Cornerstones Cornerstone 9. Active participation in and ownership of joint learning processes by well-linked stakeholders. Identifying stakeholders, building stakeholder convergence, creating structured platforms & for a for negotiations, creating networks for learning Cornerstone 10. Ongoing learning from success and failure by all stakeholders Create platforms to share and review information, agree vision and M&E framework, creating an effective knowledge management system

KEY STRATEGIES & PROCESSES POSSIBLE WAYS TO IMPLEMENT Cornerstone 4. Functioning and effective infrastructure (hard and soft). CONTENT KEY STRATEGIES & PROCESSES POSSIBLE WAYS TO IMPLEMENT 1.Identifying the infrastructure required by rural enterprises 1.Assess the existing infrastructure and identify gaps and the necessary improvements; 2.Improve access to the infrastructure 3.Identify ways and means to reduce the costs of accessing the infrastructure. Survey of existing infrastructure and business needs; Identification of priorities and contributions in multi-stakeholder forums; Increase in the volume of goods or services using the infrastructure; Provision of low-cost solutions to enterprise needs. 2.Providing the required infrastructure 1.Encourage public and private investment in infrastructure; Development of sound proposals for new or improved facilities with benefits to rural enterprise and the public. 2.Privatise state utility service providers; An independent regulatory body; Invitations to tender for management of service delivery contracts. 3.Promote local, self-funded facilities, eg, collective or cooperative services; Development of innovative schemes for self-funding. 4.Establish facilities on a correct and legal basis, eg, access. Investigation into the local regulatory or legal position.

Scenario for using the REED framework in an LED setting (l) The following steps are proposed: l. Define geographical area (e.g., district, province), II. The framework could be applied to analyse the existing situation in that area and identify potential areas of improvement. III. Cornerstones, their interdependencies, strengths and gaps could be identified by detailed analysis and self-assessment.

Scenario for using the REED framework in an LED setting (ll) IV. The gaps or shortcomings blocking the exploitation of the economic potential of the region should be analysed in detail and prioritised by their negative effects on the system. Factors with the greatest negative impact should be addressed through intervention. VI. Once the possible interventions are identified, implementation strategies can be planned and the roles of the different actors and their mutual expectations can be clarified.

How REED can add value Thinking about economic and livelihood strategies to compliment other spatial planning and management efforts is new. Critical linkages which combine to direct resources and interventions strategically and spatially need to be considered. Public administrations should conceptualize REED/LED strategies in a trans-locational (village, sm. towns, cities) perspective, including its institutional setting and prioritise according to cost effectiveness and socio-economic impact. REED provides a common platform and mechanism to link policy, procedures and interventions from a multidisciplinary perspective.

NRI Action research and shared learning on REED The research aims to develop further the conceptual framework and project tool for the fostering of rural economic and enterprise development in Bangladesh and South Africa In pursuit of this, the project aims to: Apply the REED framework and share emerging practice on pro-poor public policy and institutional support at local and national government levels specifically in South Africa and Bangladesh. Refine and develop the conceptual framework so that it can address gaps in the framework

Approach Collaboration with In-country partners Collaboration with UK and EU partners Consultation with key stakeholders Policy and Institutional focus Policy dialogue

Methodological issues Study site selection criteria Unit of analysis Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Methodologies and tools Issue(s)/Purpose Potential Methodological Tool(s) Assessment of community physical/natural assets Participatory Resource Mapping Secondary data on economy, employment and demography Exploration of local resources and development conditions Transect walks Focus group discussions Understanding of different SME and MSME activities Gaining in-depth knowledge of specific issues, structures and organizations Key informant discussions In-depth interviews and Institutional audits Following up and illustrating specific issues Case studies – semi structured interviews Stakeholder perceptions, attitudes, meanings and values (social assets) Focus group workshops semi-structured interviews Impact of sectoral policy frameworks on LED Empirical analysis of secondary data Case studies – SAM/PAM Information on the factors that constrain poor’s access to employment and SME development. HH survey/ secondary data/ questionnaire/ Enterprise questionnaire Identification of needs for the development of the LED Focus group discussions, Key informant discussion, enterprise QNR

Policy uptake and dissemination Stakeholder involvement and shared learning platform at country-level Input into DFID, World Bank and EU programme and investment processes Published Outputs and Website Networking Seminars and Workshops

Inception Phase Literature Review Identification of in-country research partners Interactive consultation with policy-makers and in-country stakeholders Joint planning with in-country partners, GTZ, UN-FAO etc. Selection of case-study sites/ regions Develop Papers for WB local economic development conference in Washington and forthcoming GTZ conference in Sri Lanka Initial workshops and seminars

Proposed in-country activities l Research activities in each study area: A study which assesses the institutional and policy context for REED/LED in each country A review of relevant literature and secondary data, and dialogue with key stakeholders. A full inventory of the existing data on REED/LED Reach agreement with partners on study/project location Baseline (community level) survey (case studies) to identify the range of REED/LED activity in which populations are engaged; develop a typology of REED/LED activities and pro-poor LED orientation cross-sectorally Extend this initial survey to other areas in the same country

Proposed in-country activities Il The design, testing and implementation of a pilot of the Rural Economic and Enterprise Development framework in Bangladesh and South Africa.

Knowledge to be gained Better understanding of current state of knowledge relating to REED/LED in South Africa and Bangladesh Improved understanding of primary and secondary stakeholder perceptions of REED/LED and its growth potential, Qualitative and quantitative information on types of REED/LED, and their importance to the poor Information on the impact of sectoral policy frameworks on pro-poor LED (housing etc) Qualitative and quantitative information on the factors that constrain people’s access to employment and SME development.

Thanks for your attention! The reports this presentation is based on are available at: The Natural Resources Institute website http://www.nri.org/projects/reed

Taking the REED research forward Time frame: project due to complete research in January 2006 Identify partners (NGO, government, academia, donor etc) Identify opportunities for joint collaboration with existing programmes/ project at macro, micro or meso levels. Efforts should build on practical fieldwork & existing data/ case study material Launch in-country REED/LED research in Bangladesh through an inception workshop February 2005 Participate in co-financed NRI-GTZ REED international conference, Sri Lanka June 2005 Invite current workshop participants to lessons learned workshop/event at the end of the in-country research November 2005