This handbook is aimed at individuals promoting and developing local employment initiatives and strategies in Member States of the European Union. Local employment development is clearly important for regional and local communities, but it is also important at the national and European levels. Employment objectives and strategies need the involvement of individuals and institutions at a regional and local level to achieve results. The local dimension of the European Employment Strategy, initiated through the European Commission, seeks to develop and further enhance local efforts in developing local employment policies by laying a foundation for best practice in co-operation with national authorities and Community institutions.