ECOPSI is fulfilling a skills and knowledge gap in the field of professional communication management by aiming to understand the competency and capability factors of communication practitioners in public and private sector organizations across Europe and to improve their communication management skills. Building on pilot work (European Communication Monitor - ECM) by the research team this programme aims to further develop the understanding of communication management practice across the European landscape in order to identify the future skills needs of practitioners and to enhance their on-going communication management skills development through lifelong learning. The main outputs of the project are:(a) A Mapping Report to identify entry and continuing professional development needs for communication practitioners in order to develop a ‘principles’ model of communication skills competence. (b) An open source portal to collect and disseminate best practice resources for enhancing professional communicators’ skills and knowledge.(c) A self diagnosis/assessment facility of skills needs(d) A Network with communication practitioners across Europe (e) The establishment of the Foundation of an ‘Excellence Centre in Communication Management’ to ensure the sustainability of the project results.The impact of the programme will be increased awareness of the competence and capability factors of communication professionals in Europe to key stakeholders. The programme will improve the cooperation between European communication practice communities and enhance transparency of the sector as well as the skills employed and required by practitioners through awareness in and availability of lifelong learning opportunities. The vision is to improve the professionalism of practitioners across Europe as well as their ability to work across borders in a European and wider international community of communication practitioners.