ERLN Newsflash May 2015

Save the date: ERLN Learning Events Calendar

The Economies of Regions Learning Network is hosting a number of learning events of interest to Economic Development practitioners. Please save the date in your diaries for:

• SMEs and Technology Transfer: 19 and 20 May 2015 in Gauteng
• ERLN Winter School with University of KwaZulu Natal: 09 June 2015
• Graphic facilitation skills workshop: 10 June 2015
• ERLN Conference on Regional Economic Development: 15 and 16 October 2015

Collaborative data project launched

A request led by Economies of Regions Learning Network members from metropolitan municipalities to assist in the improvement of their data intelligence on various relevant issues led to the creation of a Technical Working Group on Data.

Formal support for this initiative was received from the Cities Support Programme (CSP) and the Minister of Finance. The focus of the Technical Working Group is on regional, metropolitan and particularly sub-metropolitan/regional information related to economic activity and employment. The Economies of Regions Learning Network will play a convening/secretariat role.

Toolkit on addressing youth unemployment

The Economies of Regions Learning Network has produced a toolkit on addressing youth unemployment. Persistent high levels of unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, is one of the most important economic development challenges facing South Africa today. More than a quarter of the labour force are out of work and most of this unemployment is long-term.