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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Local Economic Development by Erasmus University Rotterdam

4.8
stars
322 ratings

About the Course

Welcome to this MOOC on Local Economic Development (LED). Local economic development refers to the processes by which local governments, businesses, and civil society groups get together to raise income sustainably and improve their lives in a well-defined area. It’s about creating jobs, securing livelihoods, improving infrastructure and managing local resources. What do I learn? We will be dealing with questions such as the following. Why does economic development take place in some areas of the world and not in others? Why doesn’t it happen in your place? What prevents people from having the lives they want to live right there? Could your region make more of the opportunities of globalization and new technologies? Did the promises of decentralization in your country fail to deliver better public services and more responsive governments? If these are the questions you are asking yourself, this is the right course for you. It explores the where, who and how of economic development. Please have a look at our list of contents for the coming 8 weeks: 1. What is LED? What drives it? 2. How does globalization shape LED? 3. How does decentralisation affect LED? 4. How does competitiveness affect innovation? 5. What are entrepreneurship and its dimensions? 6. Why are value chains and clusters so important? 7. What are some LED strategies? 8. Your project How will I learn? In each week you will be able to access the content of the videos, suggested readings and additional videos for selective deepening. You will also find assignments that you have to complete if you want to earn a certificate for this MOOC. We will first introduce our “toolkit”, a series of theories and concepts that will help you read the situation in your locality. We will explore the main factors affecting local economic development, such as globalization, decentralisation, and competitiveness. We will discuss key components, like entrepreneurship and innovation and look into the organization of local economies into clusters, value chains and learning regions. We will conclude by deepening on some specific constructs that make local economies grow to benefit their communities. You will also contribute your ideas in the discussion forums, where you will learn from other participants around the world. What makes this course special? There is plenty of information in Internet on local economic development, which is mostly prepared by international donors or multilateral organisations. So what does this course do differently? First of all, the course is offered by academics that have significant published research on local economic development. This course gathers a wealth of academic knowledge that often fights the assumptions on what things are supposed to be like. Second, the instructors of this course have participated in dozens of capacity building projects in Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa. Putting learning at the centre, they worked with communities, local governments, international donors and business associations. They often found a significant distance between theory and practice in local economic development, and this has been the basis of learning. Third, the course is acutely aware that each region is different and does not attempt to offer a one-size-fits-all recipe. It singles out key factors that drive local economic development and enables participants to do their own learning process, defining local problems and appropriate solutions. The aim of the course is that participants come up with their own ideas on how to promote local economic development. How will I get a certificate? If you want a certificate for participating in this MOOC, you will need to complete a small assignment each week and participate in the discussion forums. In the end of the MOOC, you will put these contributions together in one final document, your Capstone Project. I hope you find this course exciting and that you get to share our passion for promoting local economic development. Your instructors Dr. Georgina M. Gómez, ISS Prof. Emeritus AHJ (Bert) Helmsing, ISS Dr. Jan Fransen, IHS...

Top reviews

DK

Mar 17, 2022

I found it very much practical and implementable with specific strategy. I appreciate the instructors and the LED team to devise such skill course for professionals around the world.

BM

Mar 13, 2021

The course is insightful and relevant for promoting Local Economic Development.Am very motivated and interested to keep learning.Moreover,the course is taught by renowned experts.

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26 - 50 of 97 Reviews for Local Economic Development

By Muhairwe J

May 7, 2021

I found the course mind provoking and a very practical to what i do as an LED Senior Development Officer at Ministry of Local Government. I will continue pursue your lectures until i become an LED Champion.

By Yusuf T

Apr 29, 2019

It is a great course to learn the basic parameters of the Local Economic Development Strategy and Key Process. The improvement of the course content, methodology and peer grading system will be valuable.

By Dhana K

Mar 18, 2022

I found it very much practical and implementable with specific strategy. I appreciate the instructors and the LED team to devise such skill course for professionals around the world.

By Joshua A

Mar 14, 2021

Thoroughly enjoyable course on Local Economic Development.....All the course lecturers demonstrated immense understanding and knowledge in the subject area.......

By Şeyma d

Nov 28, 2018

Amazing course, I learned a lot of useful information to keep in mind on how to and how not to create and implement Local Economic Development strategies.

By Ayo E

Sep 21, 2020

The Course is insightful, satisfactory and have given me innovative solutions to harnessing entrepreneurship development skills. I strongly endorse it.

By Lauren S

Jul 1, 2019

The course was valuable, easy to undertake and complete, with a lot of support provided. My new skills will be easily integrated into my everyday work.

By Nahom B

Oct 9, 2022

It's a wonderful course that provides important insight and examples related to economic development. It has a holistic and multi-faceted approach.

By MENSAH L E

Aug 7, 2022

the course has given me a clearer understanding of Local Economic Development and everything that has to do with Local initiative

By Efrain R

Aug 22, 2018

It is an excellent course. I believe it provides you with useful tools to evaluate and possibly solve many regional problems.

By GEORGE A

Aug 30, 2022

was ver informative and the instructirs made it very understandable with the reading materials and videos

By Reyhaneh V

Apr 16, 2021

I'm interested in LED, and by study this course, I found a lot of knowledge that I need to focus on more!

By AMEKUGBE R

Jul 17, 2023

Excellent tutoring from the teachers, Good information delivery and provided useful reading materials

By Pintu B

Mar 24, 2023

Wonderful way of learning and this will be beneficial for policymaking and career development.

By Yunusa A

Jul 29, 2022

the course was very helpfull and educative i will to encourage more people to take it.

By Zainab A

Nov 19, 2019

This course was valuable. Gave me more insight into how local economic can develop.

By Agbeli S E

Aug 30, 2022

it was insightful and i learnt alot which i believe will go a long way to help me

By FERNAN H .

Jan 10, 2021

Very interactive and accessible way of introduce yourself into the LED approach.

By Chama M

Mar 25, 2023

The LED course is really mind opening and is really a life changing course.

By HENRY V

Aug 31, 2022

this course has really made me open to issues on local economic development

By Justice A

Jun 19, 2023

Very good course inspiring me to partake in local economic development.

By idp l

Sep 2, 2023

A program lecturer with qualified lecturer and more information we get

By Abwaresen J

Jul 27, 2023

LED has really been helpful. I have learnt new entrepreneurial skills.

By Suman C

Jul 23, 2022

very nice and effective course. i need certificate for the completion.

By Pankaj. G

Nov 1, 2019

it was easy and helpful, to complete the course with help of videos.