Regional development strategy - RDA South

INTRODUCTION 1premises and has achieved fully operationalstatus with staff hired, trained, statute andannual work plan approved by the Board ofPartners. Work on the first Regional EconomicDevelopment Strategy (REDS) has beeninitiated in October 2009 with the collectionof the socio-economic data and with the workleading to the establishing a regional partnershipgroup representing all groups ofstakeholders in the development process.The initial tasks of the stakeholder partnershipconsist of participating in the draftingprocess of the first REDS for Economic RegionSouth, building capacity to participate in theECLO grant scheme for EU RED as well as participatingin the creating of the developmentproject pipeline.The capacities for designing and developingconcepts for regional initiatives to enhanceinvestments and employment are still limitedin the region and generally in Kosovo as is experiencewith local support to the private sector.Under the RED approach, RDA South togetherwith the development partnership will coordinatedifferent efforts, design projects, mobilizeboth Government and donor funds, and providea vehicle for effectively implementing thearea based development strategies. The preparationof a REDS serves a number of purposessuch as providing a strategic framework for balancedeconomic development in the region;serving as a strategic document for the programmingof future EU funds, other donors’funds and eventually, local funds; and providingthe basis for future participation in the EU’sstructural funding.In summarizing the EU best practices in thearea of regional development planning, thecharacteristics and qualities of an effective regionaldevelopment strategy could be describedin the following way:An effective regional development strategy:• is embedded in its organisational, economicand social context;• establishes a widely-shared vision for thefuture development of the region;• engages stakeholders in an open and productivemanner during preparation of thestrategy;• communicates its key messages clearly to avariety of audiences;• identifies clear mechanisms for delivery;• phases and sequences key investments andactions;• establishes a simple but effective frameworkfor monitoring.REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR THE ECONOMIC REGION SOUTH5