The network’s overall goal is to promote the sustainable economic, social and cultural development of small islands so as to strengthen their capacity to support permanent, resident island communities. By promoting the transfer of information, ideas and experience among islanders, professionals and policy-makers concerned with the future of small islands, ESIN aims to devise models of sustainable development for small islands and to identify specific policy measures which could be taken at national and EU level to support sustainable development on small islands throughout Europe. Achievements: Achievements so far The project commenced in July 2004 and after a manager and financial administrator was recruited, the steering committee undertook to carry out the main work of the project which was to conduct 18 project visits over 12 inter-island trips; to have a data base of 18 case studies of good practice in sustainable development; a website; a European conference resulting in stronger contacts among decision makers, greater co-operation and improved access to information on sustainable development and approaches. . During the first 6 months the internal management and co-ordination systems were put in place, case studies were identified, project visits planned and a specification and tendering process for the website undertaken. islandsInitial contact was made with 96 relevent EU members.During the January-June '05 period 4 main themes were examined and analysed i.e Marine Related Development; Houding; Agriculture; and Infrastructural Governance. A meeting also took place at the European Parliament in February of that year to promote, engage and inform policy makers. Prior to this an information pack was circulated to 120 members.This period was the most challenging from a management and co-ordination, many issues arose aroung support and supervision of Project Officers. During the period July-December '05 the following project visits and case studies took place i.e Energy; Health & Social Care; Island Environment Identity and Education. 2 Steering group meetings were held. During January - June '06 another 4 project visits and themes were addressed; Tourism; Public Services The amount of work involved in compiling information and the resources involved was underestimated and bi-monthly discussions between partners was planned to address the work.Planning for the European Conference on Sustainable Development was planned during this period. During July - December '06 the final project visits and case studies were undertaken; Transportation; Telecommunitcations and Life-long Learning. The major conference of the project; ' What future for the small Islands', took place on the Island of Islay, Scotland with 200 delegates. The conference concentrated on presenting the relsuts of the project and promoting discussion on key questions. A Booklet was produced and disseminated widely to delegates and all members to took part in the project visits. Another major EU conference took place in Brussels during the January -June '07 period. Papers were prepared and presented on key themes such as Energy, Waste Management,Housing, Agricultrue, and Information Technology as well as a submission to the European Commission's call for the Green Paper on Maritime Affairs.