Training Programme on Job-rich Local Economic Development Strategies for a Just Transition in Coal Mining Regions

The training programme on job-rich local economic development strategies for a just transition in coal mining regions will strengthen stakeholders’ capacities to design and implement local economic development strategies that attract investment, create employment and promote private sector development in coal mining regions.

The course will introduce local economic development planning processes, local economy assessments, strategy making and strategy implementation. It will pay due attention to aspects of stakeholder engagement and partnership building, as well as systems and structures to work across different levels of government. At the end of the training course, participants will understand the phases of local economic development processes, the institutional aspects of strategies to promote strong and diversified local economies and the research efforts required to support local economic development.

Participants will familiarise themselves with the theoretical aspects as well as with case studies of regions and territories that successfully steered economic development and diversification processes and encouraged job-rich investments in the local economy.

The course will strengthen participants’ understanding of the role of economic diversification, local economic development, investment promotion, business enabling environments and social inclusion in advancing a just transition in coal mining regions. Participants will analyse past and on-going experiences with coal phase out in countries around the world and extract lessons learnt. The programme will enhance their capacity to develop effective, well-integrated and participatory interventions in coal mining regions.

The training programme is aimed at:

+ National government representatives involved in the coal transition (Ministries of Labour, Planning, Mining, Finance, Economic Development, Women’s Affairs)

+ Local government representatives in coal mining regions in Indonesia, India, Mongolia, South Africa, Thailand, and Viet Nam

+ Private sector representatives, including employers’ organizations, nationally and in coal mining regions in Indonesia, India, Mongolia, South Africa, Thailand, and Viet Nam

+ Workers’ representatives nationally and in coal mining regions in Indonesia, India, Mongolia, South Africa, Thailand, and Viet Nam

+ Civil society organizations and academia involved in the coal transition

Programme Structure

The course will span 30 hours of learning through an online format that combines webinars with self-guided learning modules. It will adopt participatory and “learning-by-doing” methodologies based on case studies, reflections and exercises in teams, and scenario simulations. It will also implement pedagogical approaches tailored to the needs and interests of the participants.

All webinars will take place between 9:00—10:30 CET (8:00—9:30 GMT).