The CIVICUS project aims at the collection, assessment and dissemination of best practice in the area of service learning (work-linked learning) in the European Union, with a particular focus upon supporting development in this area in new EU member states and in accession countries. Project partners will undergo empirical research across a number of countries, to survey and gather examples of best practice in service learning in the EU, with the primary purpose of disseminating this information to newly acceeded EU states and pre-accession countries. Target groups for the project include VET professionals and University teaching staff (specifically those in the fields of humanities and social sciences), social partners and private & public training institutions working in the field of service-learning. End project results will comprise key research results and policy recommendations in addition to a manual of work-linked training strategies (to include methods of implementation, sample syllabi & examples of good practice). Dissemination will focus upon the establishment of a dedicated project website (comprising models of social partnership and descriptions of best practice) the hosting of a final project conference and round table (aimed at representatives from the target groups) and the distribution of end project materials in paper and electronic (CD-Rom & web-based) formats.