There are many ways to promote LED. Not necessarily better or worse ways, but different ways. This publication attempts to capitalise on this diversity, drawing on the experience VNG International and its partners gained in implementing ASPIRE in Somaliland and Somalia (Puntland State), as well as the experience of other organisations and programmes in the same field. It is an aid to those districts that are striving to foster economic growth and opportunities for their communities, and offers different recipes and ingredients for putting the Territorial Approach to Local Development (TALD) into practice. The TALD approach recognises that district authorities do not operate in a vacuum and need to cooperate with other actors: private sector, civil society, local communities, other districts, and government agencies beyond the district. Under ASPIRE, VNG International has addressed this through strengthening inclusive governance capacity at several levels and promoting intergovernmental relations.
This publication starts with a general introduction to TALD and LED, addressing their interlinkages as well as the related roles of districts and their associations. It then moves to a number of tools that districts might operate to develop and implement economic development strategies. VNG International hopes that this publication will offer all those interested a spectrum of ideas and will serve as a source of inspiration.
Project partners: the Association of Local Government Authorities of Somaliland (ALGASL), Berbera District and the Berbera Economic Forum (BEF)
Project partner: the Association of Local Government Authorities of Puntland (ALGAPL)