2022 OECD Local Development Forum
On the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the OECD’s Local Employment and Economic Development programme, the 2022 edition of the OECD Local Development Forum debated the issues needed to create “Better strategies for stronger communities".
Learn more
Digital commerce is changing America's main streets...Could it be for the better?
The global pandemic transformed the way we work and shop. While many businesses were able to weather the storm of the global pandemic shutdowns, running a small business along our Main Streets is now more complex.
Read the full story
The great resignation: the reaction in places
In March 2022, a record 4.5 million US workers quit their jobs. Workers were already voting with their feet before the pandemic but recently many more have been heading for the exit. A Great Resignation is underway.
Read the full story
Tapping into talents - The cities of the future
The various systemic shocks of recent years, such as the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19, or the war in Ukraine, have resulted in a disfigured world. We now need to respond with new approaches and alliances to respond to the digital transformation and the climate emergency. Our cities will be central to that response.
Read the full story
Our education journey does not stop when we leave school
A generation ago, our education determined our first job. Many workers went on to stay in the same sector with the same employer until they retired. However, labour markets are changing – and fast.
Read the full story
The power of the public purse: leveraging procurement to support jobs and training for disadvantaged groups
Social procurement can help to leverage this purchasing power to promote local employment and training opportunities for disadvantaged groups. Such strategies are increasingly being used across OECD regions and cities.
Read the full story
Engaging employers in quality apprenticeships – making it happen locally
Youth not in employment, education or training (NEET) remain a significant labour market challenge in many OECD countries; on average 14.1% of young people aged 18-24 years were NEET in the OECD in 2019.
Read the full story
The surge of teleworking: A new tool for local development?
Teleworking levels climbed all across the world when governments mandated minimising physical presence at work in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Large-scale teleworking is likely to persist, as most managers and workers have expressed an interest to continue teleworking at least some days per week.
Read the full story
Attracting talent: The (no longer) remote option for regions and cities
Regions and cities are increasingly looking to attract remote workers and their families as part of broader local development efforts, including to offset demographic decline.
Read the full story
Is Culture really good for you? Impacts on well-being
The Covid-19 pandemic created a new normal of consuming culture from the couch. Policy makers must take advantage of the great re-opening to expand participation and create equitable access to culture. Where do they start to improve well-being.
Read the full story
Making remote work... Is your country tackling spatial divides?
Many countries are struggling to overcome gaps of all shapes and sizes between places. North versus south, east versus west, and urban versus rural divides are all too common. This has produced unequal opportunities and a deep-seated geography of discontent in places that lag behind.
Read the full story
University challenge - Bridging the local and the global
Our universities play a special role in generating the skills and new ideas that drive national economic and social progress. But can they do more to lift their local communities?
Read the full story
Mapping the shortest route to (re)employment
Both companies and job seekers spend lack information about roles and candidates to make the right choices – one of the reasons why we have a thriving recruitment industry. This is where the Passport for Work project comes in.
Read the full story
Strengthening the social economy
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the social economy has supported those in need, championed change and inspired us. In the wake of the pandemic, policy makers need to invest in it to build a better future for us all.
Read the full story
Workers leaving cities and what it means for business
Two years after the onset of COVID-19, the future of work remains a topic of lively, even heated, debate. Early in the pandemic, some were quick to announce the demise of the centre-city office. But the perceived urban COVID threat receded, and many have returned to urban life.
Read the full story
Local Initiatives
Meet our “Leeders” as they showcase local programmes and initiatives that have made a difference. Explore how these projects have demonstrated impact and harnessed innovation as we build more inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities.
Autoocupació Reempresa
Autoocupació Reempresa
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Reempresa helps to saves small businesses and local jobs. It connects business owners who want to sell their company with potential buyers, reducing transaction costs and getting the best outcome for everyone involved.
Contact: Guillem Aris, CEO at Autoocupació
Beehive & Eco Garden Project
Beehive & Eco Garden Project
Location: Cork, Ireland
To promote an awareness and love of nature, the City centre community Staff works with students to care for over 20 beehives, making the beehives, gathering, and harvesting the honey, caring for our flowers/garden, studying the life cycles of the bees, and understanding how our world can impact on them, introducing our bees to our neighbourhood.
Contact: Des Cullinane, Director at Cork City Learning Support Services
Cork ETB Employment Transition Programme
Cork ETB Employment Transition Programme
Location: Cork, Ireland
The Cork Education and Training Board (ETB) is a driving force of education and training in Cork. It provides high quality services which are innovative, responsive and inclusive. Through the Cork ETB, pathways are created for every learner, including the Cork ETB Employment Transition Programme.
Contact: Phil Heffernan, Co-ordinator at Youthreach Cork ETB
FoodCloud
FoodCloud
Location: Tallaght, Ireland
FoodCloud are a not-for-profit social enterprise working to tackle food waste and social exclusion through redistributing surplus food from the food industry to the community sector of Charities and Community Groups. Their mission is to transform surplus food into opportunities to make the world a kinder place, and the vision is for a world where no good food goes to waste.
Contact: Eimear Delahunty, Community Development Manager at FoodCloud
Growing Conversations
Growing Conversations
Location: Cork, Ireland
This programme consists of a garden/horticulture project where students plant and nurture vegetables, fruits and flowers while attending English language classes. Students also have the option of attending IT and mathes classes. Learners also have the option of cookery classes where they create dishes from the food ingredients they have grown.
Contact: Nuala White, FET Area Co-Ordinator at Cork ETB
IRD Duhallow
IRD Duhallow
Location: Cork, Ireland
IRD Duhallow is a community-based integrated rural development company, established in 1989. The company combines the efforts and resources of the state bodies, local authorities, local communities and individual entrepreneurs for the benefit of the local economy.
Contact: Maura Walsh, CEO at IRD Duhallow
Passport4Work
.png)
Skill-based matching: Passport for Work
Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands
Passport for Work is an online job matching platform, designed to promote lifelong learning and job matching through a gamified approach. The objective is to increase the inclusion of jobseekers who are having problems accessing the labour market.
Contact: Ronald Lievens, UIA Expert at Passport4Work
Reindustrialisation St-Paul en Jarez – LHH
Reindustrialisation St-Paul en Jarez – LHH
Location: Saint-Paul-en-Jarez, France
This project, conducted with FrieslandCampina in Saint-Paul-en-Jarez, France is supporting the industrial transition towards more innovative and sustainable activities, while creating new jobs. So far the project has helped reduce industrial wasteland, saving 25 jobs and creating several new ones. It supported the installation of a new production unit which helps cut polluting plastics.
Contact: Murielle Antille, Head of Government and Industry Affairs at LHH and Jean-Baptiste LOUIS, Project lead at LHH
SOLAS
SOLAS
Location: Dublin, Ireland
SOLAS manages a range of Further Education and Training programmes which enable learners to succeed in the labour market and thrive in society. Programmes include apprenticeships, traineeships, skills to advance, eCollege and the European Globalisation Fund.
Contact: Noreen FitzPatrick, Manager Enterprise, Employee & Skills at SOLAS
Southern Regional Assembly
Southern Regional Assembly
Location: Waterford, Ireland
The Southern Regional Assembly Programme has a regional role in linking local and national policy goals through regional, spatial and economic planning. Its programme aims to complement wider investment in targeted high growth and innovative sectors. It supports the creation of new quality jobs, boosts innovation, increases licenses granted, and helps to grow local economies in Ireland.
Contact: Alice Byrne Kelly, Clerical Officer, Southern Regional Assembly
Sustainable Futures
Sustainable Futures
Location: Cork, Ireland
Working with Northside Community Enterprises (NCE) Outreach, Sustainable Futures is a project that offers education and training opportunities for people engaging with addiction services. It aims to develop social, educational and employability skills and offers opportunities to explore further education and employment options with support, guidance and assistance.
Contact: Elaine Cronin, BTEI Co-ordinator at Cork Education and Training Board
Urban Growth Vantaa
Urban Growth Vantaa
Location: Vantaa, Finland
The Urban Growth Vantaa project centres on co-creating and testing new innovative solutions in the local jobs and skills ecosystem. It supports local SMEs and their employees in upskilling and digitalisation.
Contact: Mirkka Henttonen, Program Manager, Urbaania kasvua – GSIP Vantaa (Growth and Social Investment Pacts)
For more information, contact [email protected] | Sign up for the Local Development Forum newsletter | Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @OECD_local #GoLocal