To make conditions more conducive to exercising equality rights . Recipe n.55 NETWORK OF LOCAL WOMEN CENTRES IN THE REGION OF MURCIA WHAT Local employment centres have been created in 27 districts of the region. They are co-ordinated by the "Secretaría Sectorial de la Mujer" (Sectorial women Secretariat), and their aim is to inform, train, guide and advice women on both subordinate job opportunities and self-employment. HOW MUCH The centres have been financed, until now, by the European Social Fund, through the NOW Community Initiative, by the Murcia Region and by the municipalities in which they have been founded. HOW Each centre has at least a responsible person and a computer with a data bank. The responsible person (a woman) welcomes women and develops, together with them, individual paths for their work insertion. She also has the responsibility to sensitise, at a local level, social actors and employers about both Equal Opportunity issues and regional supports for women enrolling. Moreover, she gives advice for the creation of the business plan, either in laboratory or individually, and guides women in the start-up phase. The "Secretaría Sectorial", as co-ordinator body, has arranged a common data bank for all centres, gives information on occupational situation, produces studies and documentation, is in charge of the continuous training of the people responsible of the centres. PROCEDURE Taking into account both the high female unemployment rate in this region and its "rural" connotation; considering the specific difficulties the women face in entering the labour market and in progressing in their career, we believed it necessary to station the centres in the city halls, which are nearer to (both male and female) citizens. RESULTS This experience. has produced positive outcomes both from a quantity and from a quality point of view (allowing the dynamisation of women). As a result, it was inserted into the regional politics and, from this year to 2006, it will be financed by the European Social Fund through the community support tables; this will make it possible to both strengthen the already existing centres and widen the network, reaching other districts of the region. In the new phase, also young people, both boys and girls, will be covered as beneficiaries. REFERENCES Juana López Calero Secretaría Sectorial de la Mujer C/ Villaleal, 1 30001 MURCIA ESPAÑA Tel. + 34 968 36 66 26 Fax + 34 968 36 66 20 e-mail: JuanaM.Lopez@carm.es Web Site: www.carm.es/cpre/mujer