For the SDC, local economic development is not just an economic matter but a cooperative approach which provides an excellent tool for bringing together different interest groups to agree on local cooperation that can help create jobs and income, in addition to improving governance.

SDC focus

Moreover, local economic development can also strengthen governance at national level. In countries like Kosovo or Burkina Faso, the SDC conducts local economic development activities which have been implemented simultaneously in several towns. This has enabled municipalities (or rather territories, because each town has close links with its peri-urban and rural hinterland) to exchange information and experience that are specific to them. This has led to better cooperation among local authorities and thus added weight to the local dimension in dialogue with central government.

Background

Local economic development brings together various stakeholders from civil society, as well as the public and private sectors. Its goal is to promote cooperation so as to develop a given area. Cooperation is a key factor in governance. Local economic development (LED) triggers a political process in which the protagonists have to negotiate the priorities bearing in mind the limited human and financial resources at their disposal.

Forces that drive the economy

Economic considerations drive the private sector. Cooperation on creating public goods, such as improved framework conditions for investment, calls for a private-public collaboration that is built into concrete projects ("We'll build the road, and you'll build the factory. You tell us what's not right about the investment climate, and we'll put it right."). In this way, combined LED efforts create new business prospects. The public sector needs the private sector for local economic development.

In virtually every country, it is the private sector that creates most jobs and generates income, and jobs and income are a priority for the public sector's customers and voters. Poverty reduction and – perhaps more important for a civil servant – re-election of the mayor and his staff depend on the generation of income.

Governance as a process

Civil society, like local associations, should also be part of planning and implementing development projects in which the economic dimension is obviously not the only issue at stake. The State and local government do not cover all the ground. So the three stakeholder groups – the public and private sectors and civil society – negotiate and cooperate on the basis of concrete information derived from evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the local economy, as well as the opportunities and risks involved. This dynamic exchange between partners improves governance at local level.

Current projects

Object 901 – 912 of 971

Flood Risk Management in the Polog Region, Macedonia

01.01.2018 - 31.12.2023

SECO?s contribution to the UNDP "Resilience to Floods in the Polog Region" program aims at improving the resilience to floods of the Polog region of Macedonia through institutional strengthening, flood mitigation infrastructure and Swiss knowledge transfer.


Ghana Private Sector Competitiveness Program

01.12.2017 - 31.12.2021

The Ghana Private Sector Competitiveness Program (GPSCP) aims at supporing inclusive and sustainable growth through enhanced trade and competitiveness and creation of more and better jobs. The program will address constraints to private sector competitiveness and job creation, which currently exist at all levels, from different angles.


Mobility Multi-Donor Trust Fund

01.12.2017 - 31.12.2021

The Mobility Multi-Donor Trust Fund managed by the World Bank informs transport policies and infrastructure projects with solutions for sustainable mobility and works with selected low and middle-income countries in implementing such solutions.


Wastewater Collection and Treatment in Zenica

01.12.2017 - 31.12.2021

The project, co-financed with the German Development Bank (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau, KfW) entails the construction of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and necessary measures for the municipal wastewater network. Additionally, activities for Corporate Development of the public utility and minor urban development measures are planned.


IFC Debt Resolution Program, Phase II

01.11.2017 - 31.03.2022

The Debt Resolution Program contributes to effective debt management frameworks in Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Kosovo.


Program for Sustainable Tourism Development

01.11.2017 - 31.12.2022

Indonesia has the potential to develop a world-class tourism industry, because the country has many natural and cultural tourism assets. The World Economic Forum?s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017 ranks Indonesia 42nd (out of 141 countries). Despite this potential, Indonesia faces serious sustainability challenges.


Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP)

01.11.2017 - 30.11.2022

The Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP) implemented with UNIDO addresses challenges faced by exporters from developing countries, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to meet and prove conformity with market entry requirements/standards, technical regulations and market requirements.


MENA Financial Inclusion: Women Banking Champions Program

16.10.2017 - 30.09.2021

The Women Banking Champions Program aims at increasing access to financial services for women and women entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa region through the provision of advisory services to financial institutions (banks and microfinance institutions). It is a contribution to SECO/WE's inclusive and sustainable growth mandate.


Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises SCORE, Phase III

01.10.2017 - 31.12.2021

SCORE is one of SECO's flagship programmes to foster more & better jobs in small and medium enterprises (SME) in partner countries. SCORE provides on-the-job training for workers and managers to improve productivity and working conditions in SMEs and help them to participate in global supply chains. SCORE is a joint programme with Norway and ILO.


World Bank Financial Sector Strengthening Program

01.10.2017 - 30.09.2021

The Program aims at strengthening the stability of the financial sector and promoting the development of a sound and inclusive financial sector that fosters sustainable economic growth and job creation in Indonesia.


Kyrgyzstan: Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings

01.10.2017 - 31.12.2023

Given the high energy intensity of Kyrgyzstan (with buildings being the main energy consumer), SECO will support the Government?s Action Plan to reduce energy consumption by demonstrating energy efficiency benefits in public buildings in the health and education sectors. The project will also help to build local expertise on energy efficiency.


Urban Transformation Program

01.08.2017 - 31.12.2022

Urban transformation has become one of the top priorities of Colombian cities for tackling their growing urban challenges. The SECO supported Urban Transformation Program aims at (re-)vitalizing the public space through innovative urban infrastructures in selected Colombian Cities in order to promote their economic development.

Object 901 – 912 of 971