The development of an individual, demand driven approach in a long-lasting exemplarian action research

In this contribution, the author aims to elucidate the core aspects of the individual, demand driven approach and the way this approach has been developed in action research projects spanning more than 15 years. First the authors describe the developments towards more client centred approaches of labour‐market policies and care, which formed the background against which the individual, demand driven approach took shape. Then the authors sketch the main characteristics of the action research programme they have been involved in. As an example one of the projects of this programme will be elaborated further. In the fourth section of this contribution the authors give an overview of the four most distinctive aspects of the individual, demand driven approach. Then closes of with a few evaluative remarks. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.