Training
Community Economic Development Training
Experience the EDA Institute
The EDA Institute is Alberta's leading professional development program for community and economic development practitioners, elected officials, community leaders, and volunteers.
Designed by practitioners for practitioners, the EDA Institute provides practical, applied training that helps participants build stronger local economies, support resilient communities, and create long-term prosperity.
Whether you are new to economic development or looking to expand your expertise, the EDA Institute offers a comprehensive suite of Core and Optional courses that combine proven economic development principles with practical tools, real-world examples, and actionable strategies.
Participants can build knowledge in areas such as economic development planning, business retention and expansion, investment attraction, community resilience, ethics, performance measurement, rural development, leadership, and emerging issues affecting communities today.
Courses contribute toward EDA's Community Economic Development (CED) Certificate and Professional Economic Developer (PEcD) designation, helping participants advance both their skills and their careers.
Choose Your Learning Path
Core Courses
Build a strong foundation in the principles, practices, and competencies of modern economic development.
Optional Courses
Expand your expertise in specialized areas and emerging topics that support stronger, more resilient communities.
Whether you take a single course or pursue a complete learning pathway, the EDA Institute equips you with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make a meaningful impact in your community.
1. Select a Course
Core
- Establishing the Foundation (ETF)
- Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E)
- Business Investment & Attraction (BI&A)
- Community Economic Resilience (CER)
- Economic Development for Elected Officials (EO)
- Professional Ethics in Economic Development (Ethics)
Optional
- Fundamentals of Rural Economic Development (RED)
- The Social Side of Economic Development (SED)
- Co-operatives & Economic Development (CAED)
- Performance Measurement in Economic Development (PM)
- Mental Well-being for Community Leaders (MW)
2. Select Delivery Option
Individual
Online, self-directed learning. Available 24-7.
$195 Members $295 Non-Members
Group
Hybrid- Online:
Self-directed, augmented with live instructor sessions
$325 Members $435 Non-Members
In person:
Group session in your community. One day instructor-led online workshop.
$2950 Members $3450 Non-Members
3. Register
Download the EDA Institute Flyer for easy reference and share it with your colleagues.
