Local benefit sharing is an important part of hydropower project operators’ support for the development aspirations of project-affected communities. To learn more about how hydro projects are embedding local benefit sharing into their operations, IFC embarked on an extensive two-year study. Funded through generous support from the government of Japan, the study involved field visits to project sites around the world, interviews with project personnel and community stakeholders, and desk research to capture the current state of practice. The result is a two-volume compendium of case studies and good practices, along with guidance for developers on how to initiate and implement their own local benefit-sharing programs.