Industrial regions in central Europe have over decades been regarded as hot spots of economic development. However, many of them have lost this significance due to globalisation, transition to market economies and other framework conditions. Especially regions dominated by peripherally situated small- or medium-sized towns are characterised by their industrial past. Former industries leave behind a profound material and immaterial cultural heritage that essentially determines future development options. The mishandling of this heritage calls now for a complex approach and immediate action.The SHIFT-X projects connects post-industrial cities and regions with scientific institutions renowned for their expertise in regional development and heritage preservation. The aim is to jointly explore means on how industrial heritage can be used for fostering sustainable endogenous development. Achievements: SHIFT-X supports non-metropolitan areas in CENTRAL EUROPE to valorize their industrial culture. In the project, 6 regions and towns with a strong industrial past have joined together to test and disseminate approaches how industrial heritage (IH) can be used for fostering economic development and changing perception and social settings. The regions have teamed up with 2 scientific institutions that are renowned for their expertise in regional development and heritage preservation. The project was launched in Nov 2012 in Bydgoszcz (PL) with a transnational conference. The project focuses on three themes, which are: - improvement of heritage management structures, - innovation in heritage-based products and - image change campaigns. For each theme, a transnational expert group is in charge of exchange and ensures consistency and compatibility of the regional activities. For adding a local stakeholder environment, each regional partner works together with a regional expert group. These stakeholders monitor and support progress of the respective partner with its project activities. They are to play a central role in their eventual implementation, too. In the heritage management structures theme, SHIFT-X works with a tandem method bringing together experts from the 3 Good Practice Regions with the Receiving Regions interested in their approaches. After intensive multilateral tandem kick-off meetings in Welzow (DE), Leoben (AT), Limburg (BE), partners continued bilateral exchange based on a tandem work plan. The academic partners accompany this process which is to be reflected in heritage management manual. In the theme of innovative heritage-based products, partners created a joint understanding and set out a strategic frame of innovation. This Joint Framework Paper is the basis for Local Action Plans elaborated by each partner. Lately, competitions were run by partners in CZ and AT for innovating handicraft through design. Additionally, 2 open transnational seminars were held on "innovation in heritage-based products". Preparation for a multitude of activities started: innovative tour and exhibition concepts, testing of marketing tools (fairs, portfolio, e-cards,...), scientific reflection. The regional image change theme was set off with comparing existing IH campaigns. Meanwhile, own campaigns are being conceptualised. The IH promotion container is under construction. Collaboration with relevant European networks as ERIH was extended to E-Faith, Europa Nostra, TICCIH, ICOMOS. SHIFT-X continued its outreaching communication strategy by holding numerous presentations at events, by publishing articles, by organising forums at festivals (Rostfest in AT, IBUg in DE). The project website is continuously updated: www.shiftx.eu. Due to its communicative activities, the project receives impressive media attention and achieves extended stakeholder involvement.