In recent decades, radical processes of change have shaped social and economic conditions throughout the world. At the same time, decentralization has led local authorities and other socio-economic players to take on increasing responsibility for the development of their territory and for improving the quality of life of its inhabitants.

Local development initiatives and strategies concentrate on developing both the economy of a territory and employment within it (mainly through enterprise and job creation measures), together with its human and social development, all within an integrated perspective.

Local development is the result of a society's ability to decide what it wants, to pursue its aims and to control the results. It becomes a tool for consultation and social dialogue in which participation by all players in both civil society and the local socio-economic fabric is essential.

The broader the consensus on goals and the more closely coordinated the support action, the more successful the local development strategies and action will be. If it is to be sustainable, the local development process must go beyond the economic dimension to take into consideration social equity, people's well-being, environmental issues, technological progress, good governance and effective, well-managed local institutions.

Social, economic and entrepreneurial initiatives in a local context should combine with optimal use of local resources to ensure sustainability.

The Centre supports local authorities and other socio-economic players by offering face-to-face and distance learning courses as well as information and networking services, with the aim of improving their capacity to promote and strengthen economic, social and institutional development at the local level.

More information about our activities regarding local development:

Delnet - Local development support through information and communication technologies
E-mail: delnet@itcilo.org

Local Economic Development
Local Economic Development and Cooperatives
E-mail: sme@itcilo.org
E-mail: emp@itcilo.org

Activities in this area of expertise are conducted by the following training units:

Employment and Skills Development
Enterprise Development
Social Protection
Sustainable Development and Governance