Background The EU makes use of the CLLD (community-led local development) approach in numerous funding programmes. As part of this, they invite local interested parties to become involved as regional experts in the design and implementation of area-specific development strategies. A key example of the CLLD approach is the LEADER for the support of rural areas as part of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). This was implemented by around 2,600 local action groups (LAG), in which representatives for stakeholders in regional development from the state, free economy and society were represented. With the ongoing funding period, the CLLD approach will increasingly be used in the other three European Structural and Investment Funds, as well as in national funding programmes for area-specific development. The partner countries share the challenge that the development potential of the CLLD approach is not yet being used to its full extent. In particular, employees of civil society organisations do not get involved as frequently in the processes of regional development because they do not know the approach, are unable to make use of it or are unaware of the added value that it holds for themselves, their organisations and the area or region. Goals The project is aimed at qualifying paid and volunteer workers in adult education institutions and civil society organisations for better participation in the development and implementation of area-specific strategies (e.g. aid organisations, smaller associations such as volunteering agencies, environmental initiatives, church groups that want to be involved in socio-spatial work). There are two innovative products that have been developed, tested and promoted for this: 1. innovative teaching and learning materials (online learning resources, handbook for trainers, curriculum, awareness raising tool) and 2. a process for the personal certification of CLLD trainers. These have been developed on the basis of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). The project makes the products available free of charge via the internet in the partners’ languages (German, Dutch, Polish, Romanian, Hungarian) and in English. This is achieved through an open licence in editable, digital form. A consortium joined forces to make these goals become reality: a diverse group with expertise in regional development, CLLD, funding policy, adult education, social welfare, development of curricula, (online) teaching and learning material and certification. Furthermore, the partnership between a state church, a further education establishment, a university, a European association and a welfare organisation, a LEADER region and a municipality strongly represents the interests of future users. This ensures that the products are developed in line with the current needs. Within the project team there are managers, university teachers, municipal representatives, consultants, trainers and project managers all working together. The project bases its management on the PRINCE2 method (Projects in Controlled Environments). The creation of the products takes place in a process of ensuring a shared knowledge base, specifying products, creating test versions, user tests, revision/finalisation, dissemination. The project aims to reach 254 participants directly in its dissemination: 56 are involved in a Europe-wide survey, 50 are involved in an online test, 12 are testing in controlled individual tests, 16 are taking part in the transnational learning activity, 150 are taking part in a total of 5 multiplier events. The participants are: -Staff members of education providers/ the partners’ civil society organisations/ their networks -Participants in the partners’ education offers/ their institutions/ members -The partners’ network partners/ associated partners The project’s results will be distributed to around 20,000 managers and employees in the member organisations of adult education and charity associations in Europe. 2,600 LEADER regions will be reached through the 28 national LEADER networks. The project qualifies people to implement or improve the participation of their organisation in the processes of regional development. In the middle to long term, these new competences increase their employability. Civil society organisations profit from the competences of their employees and extended networks in the region with a positive impact on competitiveness and attractiveness as an employer. Regions gain new interested parties and new cooperations in the implementation of their development strategies. A certification concept ensures long-term quality and acceptance. Even during its implementation, the project takes into account a potential later extension of the online learning tool (e.g. with elements of cooperative learning, further language versions) and the sustainable use of its results.