The Regional and Local Economic Development (RLED) Initiative is a flagship collaboration between the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership (UKZN GSB&L). Since its inception in 2010, this partnership has evolved into a powerful vehicle for promoting local economic development. The initiative is recognized for its multi-phase implementation strategy, with each phase building on the achievements of the previous one:
Phase One (2010–2011)
Focused on capacity building and skills development to enhance LED implementation capabilities across municipalities and government sectors in KZN.
Phase Two (2012–2015)
Introduced academic depth by developing a postgraduate programme in Local Economic Development at UKZN GSB&L, enabling advanced research and skills development in the field.
Phase Three (2016–2020)
Consolidated and expanded successful RLED interventions, strengthening institutional capacity and embedding sustainable practices in economic development at the local level.
Phase Four (2021–2024)
Marked the regional expansion of the Social Entrepreneurs–Champions Programme, incorporating partners from University of Zululand (UNIZULU) and Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT). This expansion broadened the programme’s reach and deepened its impact by supporting social enterprises as a mechanism for addressing unemployment and community development.
Partner (EDTEA) and Funder
