The ´FBT XXI' project will promote the preservation of family-run SMEs by the creation of ODL training programmes addressing the specific needs of these companies. According to the European Observatory for SMEs, it is estimated that 30% of these companies will go out of business because of poor preparation of the transfer from one generation to another. The resulting products and applications produced by project partners of ´FBT XXI´ will be: A training programme and assessment materials, comprising a Skills and Competence Development Assessment Plan (SCAD plan) and a manual guide to learning-by-doing through the analysis and discussion of good/best practice models and case studies. Learning-by-interacting through on-line and off-line questions and answers, feed-back and debate with other learners. Key issues such as ownership and control, access to finance and financial planning, diversification, human resource management, managing innovation and technological change and business transfer are some of the subjects that will be tackled. A multilingual Web site, providing access to downloadable training materials, allowing users to exchange messages and engage in a discussion forum and debate on-line. Multiplier organisations, such as chambers of commerce and industry, business innovation centres and development agencies, will play an important part in the development of the project and in the transfer of results to potential users. Each partner is responsible for devising its own plan to disseminate the results in its own country.