World Forum of Local Economic Development

The sixth edition of the World Forum for Local Economic Development will be held from April 1 to 4, 2025 in Seville, Spain, at the Palace of Congresses and Exhibitions (FIBES).

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The Forum will focus on global priorities related to the triple transition (digital, social, and economic), social justice, local workforce development, public management, public-private partnerships, and the role of the private sector and the social and solidarity economy. It will also emphasize employment and decent work, as well as the concept of a new economy that “cares” for communities from the local level. Additionally, the Forum will explore multilevel partnerships and the interplay between global, national, and decentralized (regional-local) policies.

Like the global forums that have preceded it, it also offers a unique opportunity for the host region, in this case, Spain and Andalusia (the province and city of Seville). It provides a chance to activate local development actors, renew development policies and instruments, foster multilevel perspectives and alliances, and promote innovation and science in collaboration with universities and other knowledge institutions. Additionally, it serves as a platform to advance territorial social dialogue with trade unions and the business sector, support social economy initiatives and public-private partnerships, and build multi-actor alliances around the territory and a shared development agenda.

The VI Forum is open to political and technical representatives of national, regional and local governments, local development instruments, multilateral agencies, specialized civil society organizations and cooperation NGOs, entities and institutions of the management and knowledge system, companies and entities from the private sector and the social and solidarity economy, experts in the topics of interest.

The VI WFLED adheres to the global agenda, promoting reflection within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, the New Urban Agenda, the United Nations Future Summit, or the Pact for the Future of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). ), among others, and is aligned and coordinated with processes such as the OECD Local Development Forum or the Global Social Economy Forum (GSEF).

Goals

Facilitate dialogue and knowledge sharing 
Build development models from the territories 
Strengthen a global alliance for specific actions 
Contribute to the localization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 
Promote the effectiveness and impact of local economic development 
Contribute to the alliance of actors and instruments of local economic development at a global level 

Just transition, development financing and territorial solutions, the theme of the VI WFLED

The VI WFLED will address global priorities in the theme of the triple transition, social justice, training for employment in the territory, public management, public-private partnerships and the role of the private sector and the social and solidarity economy, employment and decent work and the approach of a new economy that “cares” from the territory, as well as multilevel alliances, global, national and decentralized (regional-local) policies.

Draft Programme

19:30

Official opening

Apply to host a side event for the 6th World Forum on Local Economic Development!

Call for applications to organise side events at the 6th World Forum on Local Economic Development, taking place from 1 to 4 April 2025 in Seville, Spain, is now open!

The deadline for applications is 14 February 2025 (23:59 CEST).

Practical Information

Find essential details, including venue information, online registration, accreditation, program schedules, visas, media, accommodation, transport, internet, electricity, and emergency contacts.

Towards a global alliance

Roadmap 2024

VI WFLED Preparatory Event VI WFLED Side Event
Roadmap

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