Document: Improving LED: Changing Tactics - Lessons learnt from Emnambithi-Ladysmith

The purpose of this paper is to indicate the manner in which the Participatory Appraisal of Competitive Advantage (PACA) approach can be used to develop an LED strategy, and how this was achieved in Emnambithi-Ladysmith. It is important to note that this paper is a humble contribution toward the broader discourse on local economic development and is directed towards improving implementation. The PACA approach brings to the LED debate a number of very important innovations, but like all approaches that become solidified through multiple implementations, its parameters will always face challenges. These challenges are often a function of local conditions, where the PACA tools and approaches will be tested and adjusted to suit local needs and circumstances. The PACA approach was the basis of the LED initiative conducted in Emnambithi-Ladysmith, but this needed to be adapted to the needs of the municipality and local business stakeholders.