This free online course on local economic development was created by IHS in partnership with the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University Rotterdam. ISS and IHS also run an on-campus version of the course.
Course description
Local economic development focuses on how local governments, businesses, and civil society work together to create jobs, improve livelihoods, develop infrastructure, and manage resources sustainably in a defined area. This online course explores the key processes, strategies, and challenges of promoting economic growth at the local level.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for professionals, students, and researchers interested in urban and local development, economic planning, and public policy. It is ideal for those who want to understand why economic development succeeds in some regions and not others, and how to harness globalisation, decentralisation, and innovation to improve local opportunities.
What will you achieve?
By completing this 8-week course, you will be able to:
- Understand the main drivers of local economic development, including globalisation and decentralisation
- Analyse how competitiveness, entrepreneurship, value chains, and clusters influence economic growth
- Explore practical local economic development strategies
- Design and apply a project that addresses real-world local economic challenges
Lecturers
- Dr. Georgina M. Gómez, Associate Professor, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Prof. Emeritus AHJ (Bert) Helmsing, Economist, Professor Local & Regional Development, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Dr Jan Fransen, Lead Specialist in Urban Economic Development and Resilience, Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam
How to join this course
The course is available on Coursera. Registration is free, and you will need a Coursera account to participate. Enrol now to gain practical skills in local economic development and urban growth strategies.