The operation Mo.No.Pi - Monument Nomination and Pilot Implementation as an Alternative Form of Architecture and Religion Tourism focuses on the promotion of monasteries as important sites of cultural heritage. Monasteries frequently require significant amounts of resources for restoration and maintenance but, apart from being sanctuaries for contemplation, they can act as growth poles for the development of their surrounding areas. Objectives Based on a close cooperation of representatives of monasteries with governmental organisations, the operation wants to explore opportunities for an active role of monasteries in regional development. More specifically, it promotes the contribution of monasteries to economic development based on the range of possible usage types for religious, educational and/or tourism purposes and aims at developing policy tools to ensure sustainable management. Results The operation enhances public awareness for European religious and secular traditions. It improves available policies and tools to include monasteries into regional development strategies and bridges between traditional usage and modern interests. It thus helps overcome existing barriers and promotes the role of monasteries as enterprises, training facilities and religious centers. Activities include the set up of an interregional co-operation platform for monasteries and the identification of tools suitable for promoting the roles of monasteries in regional development. Partners conduct a range of case studies, elaborate new user concepts, prepare a handbook for the management of monasteries, and conduct a range of training seminars.