1. LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (LED) in RWANDA

2. 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.

3. WHO DOES LED?
PRIVATE SECTOR
CITIZENS
PARTICIPATION!
PUBLIC SECTOR

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

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

16. THANK YOU !