Economic Development Planning Course

Lesson 1 • Ethical Dimensions of Development

Examines equity, inclusion, and rights-based approaches as ethical foundations. Prepares planners to embed ethical standards in all planning decisions.

Lesson 2 • Stakeholders in Development Planning

Maps the roles of governments, donors, civil society, and private sector actors. Establishes stakeholder analysis as a core planning competency.

Lesson 3 • Defining Economic Development

Clarifies the distinction between economic growth and holistic development. Anchors all subsequent planning work in shared conceptual vocabulary.

Lesson 4 • Key Development Indicators and Metrics

Introduces quantitative and qualitative measures used to assess development progress. Equips planners to select appropriate indicators for their contexts.

Lesson 1 • Data Sources and Research Methods

Surveys primary and secondary data sources relevant to economic planning. Builds research literacy so planners can gather and validate evidence independently.

Lesson 2 • Labour Market Diagnostics

Analyses employment patterns, skill gaps, and wage structures within a region. Connects labour data to workforce development planning priorities.

Lesson 3 • Input-Output and Multiplier Analysis

Introduces input-output modelling to trace economic linkages and multiplier effects. Enables planners to estimate the economy-wide impact of targeted investments.

Lesson 4 • Business Environment Assessment

Evaluates regulatory, infrastructure, and market conditions affecting private investment. Informs strategies to improve the local investment climate.

Lesson 1 • Participatory Planning Processes

Designs inclusive processes that integrate community and stakeholder input into plans. Builds legitimacy and ownership for development strategies.

Lesson 2 • Vision and Goal Setting

Guides the process of defining a long-term development vision and measurable goals. Establishes the strategic direction that all subsequent planning steps serve.

Lesson 3 • Situational Analysis Tools

Applies SWOT, PESTLE, and competitive analysis to assess planning contexts. Translates economic diagnostics into strategic insights for decision-making.

Lesson 4 • Results Frameworks and Logic Models

Introduces logical framework and results chain tools for structuring plans. Ensures strategies are linked to measurable outputs, outcomes, and impacts.

Lesson 1 • Services and Digital Economy

Analyses growth opportunities in services, tourism, and digital industries. Prepares planners to design strategies for knowledge-intensive and digital sectors.

Lesson 2 • Cross-Sector Linkage Strategies

Identifies synergies across sectors to maximise development impact. Teaches planners to design integrated strategies that avoid siloed sector approaches.

Lesson 3 • Trade and Export Promotion

Designs strategies to expand export capacity and integrate into global value chains. Connects trade promotion to domestic economic diversification goals.

Lesson 4 • Agricultural and Rural Development

Covers strategies to raise agricultural productivity and diversify rural economies. Connects rural development to broader poverty reduction and food security goals.

Lesson 1 • Infrastructure's Role in Development

Establishes the economic rationale for infrastructure investment in development planning. Frames infrastructure as an enabler of productivity, connectivity, and inclusion.

Lesson 2 • Infrastructure Financing Strategies

Surveys financing instruments including bonds, development finance, and blended finance. Builds capacity to structure diverse financing packages for infrastructure plans.

Lesson 3 • Feasibility and Cost-Benefit Analysis

Teaches economic and financial feasibility assessment for infrastructure projects. Equips planners to evaluate project viability before committing public resources.

Lesson 4 • Public-Private Partnership Models

Examines PPP structures for financing and delivering infrastructure projects. Prepares planners to design risk-sharing arrangements that attract private capital.

Lesson 1 • Foreign Direct Investment Attraction

Designs strategies to attract and retain quality foreign direct investment. Links FDI promotion to local economic linkages and technology transfer goals.

Lesson 2 • Financing Plan Integration

Synthesises multiple financing sources into a coherent development financing framework. Teaches planners to build integrated financing plans aligned with strategic priorities.

Lesson 3 • Aid Effectiveness and Donor Coordination

Applies aid effectiveness principles to manage donor relationships and align external finance. Ensures external resources reinforce rather than undermine national plans.

Lesson 4 • Fiscal Space and Revenue Mobilisation

Analyses government revenue capacity and options for expanding fiscal space. Connects revenue mobilisation to the funding of development plan priorities.

Lesson 1 • Work Planning and Scheduling

Applies project management tools to develop detailed work plans and timelines. Ensures implementation activities are sequenced, resourced, and time-bound.

Lesson 2 • Implementation Architecture Design

Establishes the institutional structures and coordination mechanisms needed for plan delivery. Translates strategic plans into operational implementation arrangements.

Lesson 3 • Procurement and Contract Management

Covers procurement planning and contract management for development programmes. Ensures goods, services, and works are acquired efficiently and transparently.

Lesson 4 • Risk Management in Implementation

Identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks that threaten plan implementation. Builds adaptive management capacity to respond to implementation challenges.

Lesson 1 • Data Analysis and Visualisation

Applies analytical and visualisation techniques to interpret M&E data for decision-makers. Transforms raw data into actionable insights for plan management.

Lesson 2 • Learning Systems and Knowledge Management

Designs organisational systems that capture, share, and apply development lessons. Institutionalises learning to improve future planning and implementation cycles.

Lesson 3 • Data Collection and Management

Covers methods and tools for collecting, storing, and managing M&E data. Ensures data quality and accessibility for timely decision-making.

Lesson 4 • Evaluation Design and Methods

Introduces evaluation designs including impact, process, and formative evaluations. Equips planners to commission and interpret rigorous evaluations of development programmes.