The primary objective of this publication is to provide local decision makers throughout the Mediterranean with a set of concrete and easy-to-use guidelines on why and how ICTs should be integrated into local development policy making. This Handbook intends to provide local policy makers with a practical tool to support them. These national and local authorities in charge of strategic planning for economic and social development have new roles and responsibilities within the framework of the ongoing decentralization of their functions, which requires them to take charge of planning, resource mobilization and implementation of all local development activities. As a result, local public officials often need to build new capacities and skills to effectively leverage available ICT tools to efficiently manage their new functions.