The LEED Programme identifies, analyses and disseminates innovative ideas relating to economic development, entrepreneurship, local governance and the social economy. Based on the voluntary participation of countries, its programme of work provides a large measure of operational flexibility. The LEED Programme has provided a vital contribution to local development for over 25 years, providing rationale for new policies and improving local practices, and is still exploring and pushing further the frontier of knowledge in this area.

The LEED Programme is pillar of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs and Local Development collaborating closely with the Working Party on SMEs and Entrepreneurship and the Tourism Committee, and carrying out horizontal work with many other services of the OECD (such as the Centre for Co-operation with Non-Members and the Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs).

The LEED Programme offers participants a uniquely active approach by providing:
- continuous monitoring and assessment of current local development practices and the diffusion of related findings;
- analysis of initiatives and strategies with the aim of complementing public policy and supporting local economic and social development;
- elaboration of common methodologies and analytical frameworks for carrying out reviews and studies; and
- a critical link both among sub-national institutions, and between the OECD and sub-national bodies.

LEED has a Directing Committee of 30 countries and four international organisations, all full-participants.  It draws on the additional resources and expertise provided by the LEED Partners' Club, a network of more than 100 members gathered in four consultative fora.  In 2003 the OECD Secretary General created the OECD LEED Trento Centre for Local Development in Italy with the aim of building capacity for local development accross the OECD region, with a special focus on Central, East and South-East Europe.

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