This handbook is one in a series of practical "how-to" handbooks developed by AIDSCAP's (AIDS Control and Prevention) Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Unit. Its main objective is to help field-level planners and implementer's who are planning a new peer education project and want to strengthen or energize ongoing projects. The information in this handbook is based on interviews with over 200 AIDSCAP subproject managers, peer educators and peer beneficiaries in ten countries. It presents advice from experienced HIV/AIDS BCC practitioners about: activities that are appropriate for peer educators, recruitment and selection of peer educators, community acceptance and support for peer educators, training topics for peer educators, supervision and support for peer educators and the role of educational materials and condoms in peer education projects. This guide has not been developed specifically for school use, but may still be useful for the planning of school-based peer education. The book consists of 12 units:- 1) Introduction; 2) What is peer education; 3) Benefits of a peer education approach; 4) Should I use a peer educational approach?; 5) Critical element: activities expected of peer educators; 6) Critical element: recruitment and selection of peer educators 7) Critical element: comprehensive training of peer educators; 8) Critical element: support and supervision of peer educators; 9) Critical element: community acceptance and support; 10) Critical element: educational materials and condom supplies; 11) Common difficulties in peer education projects; 12) Final thoughts. Some points to remember are also included in some sections.