Local Agenda 21 is a perticipatory, multisectoral process to achive the goals of Agenda 21 at local level through the preparation and implementation of long-term, strategic action plans that address priority localsustainable development concerns.

Local Agenda 21, as aparticipatory action planning process targeting” sustainable development” at local level, has manifested during its implementation to date in the world and in Turkey its crucial role in promoting the democratic “local governance” paradigm of the 21th century.

Local Agenda 21 cannot be regarded as a local program or Project which albeit important, is one amongst the elongated list of other ongoing activities. On the contrary, Local Agenda 21 should be conceived as the mainstream process, perforating and embracing all aspects of local governance and all activities of the local government and local stakeholders.

It would be interesting to note that Local Agenda 21 could only be included in Agenda 21 atthe last minute, as a consequence of effective lobbying by local authorities. During the PrepCom meetings organized by the UN prior to the Rio Summit, the inclusion of a seperate chapter on local authorities was not welcomed by national delegates, in particular by the representatives of central government organizations. On the verge of the summit, in Curitiba, Brazil, Local Authorities to sustainable development, which were incorporated into the final draft of Agenda 21 as the celebrated Chapter 28 during the fourth and final PrepCom meeting in New York.

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