This publication draws on evaluations of initiatives that sought to push forward our understanding of the concept and practice of local disaster risk management. Eighteen initiatives are summarized in an annex and include: a scheme providing insurance to farmers in the high plateau of northern Bolivia against losses beyond their control; participatory planning, disaster preparation, improved water and a consideration of resilience in municipalities in La Paz; local risk management in Manizales (Colombia), which is linked to land use and development planning, building regulations and slope recovery schemes; the incorporation of risk prevention and reduction into Bogota’s territorial development plan; the participatory development of a disaster preparedness plan in Rikuryana (Ecuador) to reduce risks from landslides, fires and vehicle accidents; the creation of a water management plan for the city of Babahoya, whcih included storm water management and flood control; and a grouping of municipalities in Peru that worked together to resolve landslide risks on the main road in and out of their territory and created strategy risk management plans. The document seeks to provide an Andean sub-regional analysis with conclusions and evidence that help a stronger understanding of local disaster risk management and community disaster risk management. After the Introduction, Section 2 describes the initiatives on which it is based and addresses the key conceptual issues. Section 3 explains the methodological base for the analysis and offers a comparison of experiences. Section 4 describes and explains the varying ways in which risk reduction is formulated and implemented, including who does the promoting, what is promoted, at what territorial level are the projects promoted, what are the most common risk reduction approaches, what management approaches are used, and who funds and monitors projects. This draws on an analysis of 139 cases. Section 5 considers how the case studies help us understand concepts and practice, the formulation of public policy, and sustainability and replicability. Among the subjects discussed are development–risk relations, participation and ownership, external and internal relations, process-based versus product-based interventions, and the various levels or types of “local” intervention identified. The final section presents conclusions and recommendations, drawing in particular on the most successful cases. Additional documentation (in Spanish) is available from http://www.comunidadandina.org/predecan/concurso/index.html [1]