CLGF is delivering a DFID funded project entitled: Strengthening local economic development in the Commonwealth, running from July 2017 to August 2020. DFID, or the Department for International Development, is the overseas assistance arm of the UK government.

The project is supporting work to strengthen policy and delivery to enhance local economic development in Southern Africa, South Asia and West Africa and the key activities include:

Key activities 

• rolling out national and provincial strategies for LED In three countries; Botswana, Sri Lanka and Zambia

• technical support for rolling out LED in Ghana, South Africa and Swaziland 

• piloting LED, provisionally in India, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe

• supporting councils to develop bankable projects and leverage resources to implement elements of their LED strategies

• research, advocacy and exchange of lessons and experience 

The project also supports CLGF’s regional offices and staff in South Africa (Southern Africa), India (Asia) and Accra (West Africa). 

Key results

Following a DFID evaluation in July 2018, the feedback was very positive. Key results in the last year include:

• LED guidelines developed under the project have been incorporated into the Government of Zambia guidance to all councils on Integrated Development Planning 

• the State of Madhya Pradesh, India, has used and adapted CLGF’s LED methodology into their training for Panchayati Raj councils under the Madhya Pradesh Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Mission; including training for 700 individuals from self-help groups and 200 officials

• ‘business enabling’ surveys have been undertaken in Botswana and Botswana and are about to be undertaken in Zambia 

• CLGF is using its experience to support regional economic development planning in South Africa, and to underpin advocacy regionally and internationally, for example, through the Global Taskforce.

• CLGF has leveraged more than £2m against the DFID grant