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

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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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)

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

7. 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”

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

9. Leda mechanisms Capacity building Strategy development
Strategy implementation
Funding
Networking

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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

21. reference
Republic of Namibia: Ministry of Urban and Rural Development. (n. d.). Local Economic Development Agency. Retrieved from