Local Economic Development (LED) is development by and for local people. A good LED process is: Participatory and Inclusive – Public, private, civil society, and marginalized groups work together to develop locally based solutions;  Has Local Leadership – Development strategies are developed at the local level (e.g., district, etc.), city or region itself, not imposed from higher levels of government or donors. ‡ Is Values-based – The values of local people (i.e. what is important to them) drive the process and the solutions.

While LED has been around for many years, it is building momentum as local areas look to drive their comprehensive resources exist on LED processes, including Promoting Local Economic Development through Strategic planning.