Promoting Local Economic Development
The World Forum of Local Economic Development (WFLED) is an international platform for dialogue and cooperation that brings together national, local and regional governments and their networks, development agencies and tools, civil society organizations, international organizations, United Nations agencies and programs, representatives of the private sector and academia, among many others, with the aim of promoting inclusive, sustainable and territory-based local economic development.
The Forum’s territorial approach stems from the recognition of the social, economic, cultural, and environmental diversity of different territories, promoting differentiated strategies adapted to each context. These strategies aim to sustainably utilize endogenous resources, strengthen and diversify local economies, boost innovation and territorial competitiveness, generate decent and inclusive employment, and contribute to social cohesion.
Furthermore, WFLED integrates environmental sustainability as a cross-cutting theme, ensuring that local economic development processes are resilient, responsible, and aligned with long-term sustainable development goals.
Through the World Forum and its intermediate forums, WFLED fosters political dialogue, knowledge sharing, and partnership building. The Forum’s territorial approach recognizes the diversity of contexts and promotes tailored strategies that leverage local resources, strengthen local economies, generate decent employment, and ensure environmental sustainability.
Vision
To be the leading global platform for exchange, learning and collaborative action to promote innovative, inclusive and sustainable local economic development policies and strategies that contribute to resilient, prosperous and socially cohesive cities and territories.
Mission
To promote sustainable and equitable local economic development by strengthening cooperation between local governments, social and economic actors, and international organizations, in order to improve the quality of life of communities, foster social inclusion, create decent employment and support territorial innovation.
Goals
Facilitating dialogue and knowledge exchange
Building development models from the territories
Strengthen a global alliance for specific actions
Contribute to the localization of the 2030 Agenda and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda
Promote the effectiveness and impact of local economic development
To contribute to the alliance of actors and instruments of local economic development at a global level
What do we do?
We promote global and regional spaces for multi-stakeholder dialogue to strengthen cooperation and the exchange of experiences around local economic development.
We contribute to consolidating an international network of actors committed to a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable development model.
We support the implementation of inclusive local strategies that strengthen endogenous capacities and promote sustainability.
We promote collaboration between different levels of government and sectors to align public policies with territorial priorities and dynamics.
We promote the creation and circulation of knowledge, methodologies and good practices adapted to territorial realities.
We seek to influence public policies, international cooperation, and local capacities to promote a transformative agenda from the local level.