On July 16 2019, and on July 18 2019 as a part of the international technical assistance project “Support to Economic Development at the Local Level in the Republic of Belarus” funded by the European Union, two workshops “International approaches and best practices as incentives to local economic development” took place at the Johannes Rau International Centre for Education and Exchange in Minsk, Belarus.

In welcoming message to workshop participants Deputy Minister of Economy Dmitry Matusevich noted: “The relevance of the topic of the seminar is not in doubt. The experience of many countries shows that dynamic and sustainable development of regions cannot be achieved only by means of macroeconomic policy. The success of local economic development largely depends on an effective regional policy that creates a favorable environment for the growth of the territory’s potential, its competitive advantages, and an innovative and entrepreneurial initiative. In this regard, it is difficult to overestimate the importance of studying the international experience of stimulating the regional economic development for the further effective use of its potential and competitive advantages.”

Two workshops on the 16^th of July and on the 18^th of July 2019 will be hold for representatives of 12 pilot districts, including representatives of local executive committees and councils of deputies, subjects of the entrepreneurship support infrastructure, representatives of commercial and non-profit sectors and entrepreneurship development councils.

Four international methodologies of local economic development were presented at the workshops:

-    Area-Based Development methodology;

-    Regional Innovation Systems methodology;

-    Local Economic and Employment Development methodology;

-    Optimization of Business Processes and Production Systems -REFA methodology.

Zachary Taylor, Deputy Resident Representative UNDP in Belarus, noted: “One of the main priorities of the United Nations Development Program and the European Union is to support countries in their efforts to create a sustainable inclusive economy and to strengthen local policies and state institutions to be successful in addressing global challenges and threats. Today presents an opportunity for participants to learn about successful international approaches and tools which are applied at the regional level to improve local economies. We hope that these practices will be adapted in Belarus and form the basis for regional development which will create favorable conditions for local economic growth, increase competitiveness and boost entrepreneurship in regions.

Together with experts and bearing in mind local needs, each of the pilot districts is expected to select one out of four methodologies for its further piloting after the workshops.

The information presented at the workshops intended to help the pilot districts to master modern approaches and tools for local economic development stimulation and, if possible, to apply the best practices for local planning and management.--- Article text goes here ---