The 6th World Forum on Local Economic Development (LED), held in Seville, Spain, from 1 to 4 April 2025, concluded with a call to rethink global development models through inclusive, sustainable, and peace-oriented territorial approaches. With participation from over 100 countries, the Forum gathered representatives from local and regional governments, civil society, international organizations, and the private sector to address the urgent need for more resilient, people-centered strategies.
The Final Declaration adopted at the close of the Forum emphasizes that current global crises — such as growing inequality, climate change, food insecurity, democratic backsliding, and conflicts — require a fundamental shift in how development is conceived and implemented. At the core of this transformation is the recognition that territories and local actors are not only recipients of policies but vital agents of change.
Credit: World Forum on Local Economic Development
Among the key messages:
- Territorial approaches must be at the center of development strategies, rooted in local realities and guided by inclusive participation.
- Development is a pathway to peace, particularly in contexts affected by conflict and exclusion. Promoting social and territorial cohesion is crucial to preventing violence.
- Multilevel governance and decentralized cooperation are essential for aligning local actions with global goals and building bridges between institutions and communities.
- Youth, women, and historically marginalized groups must be at the forefront of local economic development processes, shaping decisions and leading innovation.
- Local economies play a key role in generating employment, reducing inequality, fostering environmental sustainability, and strengthening democratic practices.
The Forum highlighted that aligning local development efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is not only strategic but imperative. It reaffirmed that progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depends on empowering local governments, investing in local capacities, and building inclusive institutions that reflect the diversity and dynamism of their territories.
Moving forward
The Seville Declaration sends a clear message: no sustainable future is possible without the active leadership of territories. It calls on national governments, international organizations, and donors to strengthen place-based strategies and support co-created solutions that leave no one and no place behind.