About emda

East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England, set up in 1999 by Government to bring a regional focus to economic development. Independent evaluation conducted ten years on has shown emda has:

Had a significant impact on the region’s economy
Generated economic benefits that substantially outweigh its overall costs
Put back over £9 of economic output (or GVA) into the regional economy for every £1 it spends
Produced more than £1 billion in economic benefits per year
Had a wider impact on people, places and businesses in the East Midlands that cannot be captured by figures alone.

Find out more about the evaluation here.

emda’s key role is to be the strategic driver of sustainable economic development – aiming to increase the economic growth of the region while reducing disparities between the East Midlands and other English regions. We work in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations to deliver the goals of the Regional Economic Strategy (RES), which we produced on behalf of the region — which is why we are the catalyst for change in the East Midlands.

The RES highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and sets out key priorities until 2020 to ensure the vision for ‘a flourishing region’ can be achieved. emda reports into the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) but works with a whole range of other government departments and partners.

What we can do for you

You could be living in the East Midlands and looking for a better job, better qualifications or training. You might be considering starting a business or already running one. Or perhaps you're thinking of investing or have an idea to improve the community you're living in. We could help you succeed.

Our website offers a wealth of information on what we do:

Business support and investment – we'll help you start a business, or help your business get more competitive

Innovation – we can help you turn good ideas into great earners

Employment, learning and skills – we´re developing a dynamic, flexible and skilled workforce to help businesses to thrive

Funding – our range of investment and funding programmes offer businesses large and small opportunities to start, grow and innovate

Sustainable development – we have cohesive transport, environmental and regeneration strategies to strengthen the economy and revitalise communities across the region

International trade and inward investment – we'll equip your business to go global and we'll encourage international business to come and invest here

Tourism and culture – we're promoting our region, attracting more visitors and increasing income from tourism, while playing an active part in ensuring the region benefits from the London 2012 Games

If you want to know any more about anything we do, simply email or call us – click on the Contact link to the left.