Context

Local Economic Development (LED) strategies are essential in forced displacement contexts. In presence of a rapid population growth following a displacement crisis, Local Economic Development (LED) strategies with a focus on attracting the local and refugee private sector could help cities benefit from the presence of displaced communities, support welfare generation and lead to job creation for displaced and locals alike.

Municipalities often find challenges to the successful implementation of LED strategies in forced displacement contexts. During previous virtual and face-to-face exchanges, municipal staff and elected representatives who are members of the CMI-managed Host Municipalities Learning Network (HMLN) reconfirmed their need to exchange on practical aspects of developing an LED strategy with a focus on private sector mobilization for enhancing the local economic environment. They also reaffirmed their need for knowledge on the practical ways of strategy implementation. To answer their requests, CMI and World Bank will present a municipal case study to show the concrete steps in implementation of a LED strategy in forced displacement contexts.

Since June 2016 the Mediterranean Host Municipalities Learning Network supports host local governments with evidence-based knowledge and Capacity Building to improve their response capacity to forced displacement. The Network have benefitted from face-to-face workshops and webinars on priority themes, as well as online discussions in the ad-hoc Collaboration4Development (C4D) online collaborative platform.

Objectives and Expected Outcome

This Webinar will present a municipal case study to show the concrete steps in implementation of a LED strategy in forced displacement contexts. It will specifically aim to:

• Reconnect HMLN members and follow up on their learning requests;
• Improve HMLN members’ capacities in strategic planning and implementation by showcasing a practical and transferrable experience;
• Offer a targeted discussion on LED strategies in preparation for the 2nd Capacity Building Workshop on Strategic Planning for LED (Amman, Jordan, June 30 – July 4, 2019).

Participation in the Webinar

This webinar targets HMLN members, CMI partners and experts. It will consist of a virtual exchange allowing participants to interact by connecting directly from their computer or smartphone with internet connection. Arabic-English simultaneous interpretation will be provided.

Resources

Concept note, agenda and local starting times