The Action Town project goes through three different phases (see figure below): Preparatory phase, Engagement and Dialogue phase and the dissemination phase.

In the preparatory phase three review documents will be developed in three project focal areas: 1) SCP policy framework, strategies and instruments; 2) assessment tools for SCP; 3) indicators for SCP. The documents identify the existing knowledge and show gaps between research and implementation of policies. The material will be available in the Library.

At least three more CSOs will become partners and act as national focal points (NFP) for accumulating and disseminating knowledge on SCP. They will also explore collaboration opportunities with the research community within and beyond their countries. A feasibility survey will be taken out through the NFPs and other CSOs to 1) to make an inventory of current activities of CSOs in the area of SCP; 2) to verify fields of contribution by CSOs to research agenda in three focus areas; 3) to identify CSOs which share common knowledge gaps and mutual needs; 4) to help to formulate basic themes for the working groups (see the next phase) based on common knowledge gaps and mutual needs; 5) to gather initial ideas for mechanisms of disseminating knowledge on SCP among CSOs.

The engagement and dialoge phase will contribute to building a deeper understanding among CSOs of the three project focus areas (policy strategies, assessment tools and indicators) and carry out exploratory actions to bring new insights to research via concrete demonstrations in cooperation with researchers. The NFPs play a major role in this phase. The workshop materials and the descriptions of the exploratory actions will be available in the Library.

In the dissemination phase an event with the theme ‘CSOs Contribution 2 SCP’ will be organised to present the results of the
exploratory actions. Other research institutes and different types of CSOs from the project partners such as trade unions, church groups, youth groups and business leading in sustainability performance will be invited to expand the network. The event will also mark the official establishment of CSOContribution2SCP, a network of CSOs and research organisations on SCP. Towards the end of the project there will be a lot of disemination on both national and international level for different audience. Involved CSOs and the NFPs will take a major role in this phase. Diverse materials will be available through this website, ranging from synthesis reports to podcasts.