The aim of the International Benchmarking on CVET – 4 European Regions, is to deeply focus on the issues of CVET (Continuing Vocational Education and Training) that have been highlighted both in the Bruges Communiqué and in the latest Eurydice report on adult education. Particularly, the project will propose policy solutions for the promotion of adult participation in continuing education, especially those with less access to training opportunities. This will be achieved through cooperation and partnership between public authorities and CVET stakeholders from different countries and regions of the EU. The Blue Economy – for its special importance in the partnering countries – has been chosen as the scope of application of the project.The increasing of adult participation in CVET is an issue of maximum relevance to the goals set by the Europe 2020 Strategy. However, difficulties in mobilising the social partners and businesses for CVET and training in the workplace are problems common to several European countries. For instance, in Portugal, despite the improvements in recent years, the qualification level of the Portuguese population remains far below the European average. Aware of this issue, a consortium was established, with the leadership of the Portuguese National Authority responsible for the implementation of policies regarding education and vocational training (Agência Nacional para a Qualificação - ANQEP). In order to assure a skilled approach to Blue Economy issues with strategic relevance at European and national levels, the consortium includes sectoral representatives of all involved countries (Portugal, France, Malta, Spain and the United Kingdom). Additionally, it includes organisations specialised in training, project management, networking and one public employment agency. The consortium ensures conditions for sharing knowledge and experience, and the production of guidelines with application to the Blue Economy, in particular the shipbuilding sector, and demonstrative impact on the CVET systems and general policies. The most important project outputs are: -A report on the “State of the Art”: diagnosis of training policies and practices in the partner countries-An action plan “Take the training to businesses” concerning the challenges and priority areas of intervention in view of the policy objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy-Recommendations for the development of public policies that can promote access to CVET, particularly in the Blue economy and in the shipbuilding sector, allowing for a demonstrative impact on general CVET systems.The active participation of different stakeholders, namely businesses, is guaranteed by the promotion of international seminars to raise awareness and a consultation conducted through surveys.The project is expected to influence public authorities in charge of CVET in the consortium countries to enhance the quality of CVET provision, and to impact in EU CVET policies and systems through a strong dissemination. The project seeks to maintain the collective work beyond its end, which is an important element for the participating organisations. Moreover, it is estimated that the project will contribute to strengthen the cooperation between public authorities and social partners on the organisation of CVET training, due to partners' involvement. Thus, the expected impact for businesses is the increase in mobilization and investment in CVET and for the adults, employed and unemployed, the enhancement of access to training.