Unique cultural landscapes constitute a major factor of Central Europe's cultural identity, uniting nature and heritage. Being the most typical part of nature in CE, they are precondition of biodiversity and an important ecological resource. Moreover, functioning landscapes constitute the base for regional economic development, above all in of rural areas, and the well-being of the inhabitants. However, CE landscapes are continuously neglected, fragmented and destroyed due to missing consciousness of their value and the lack of willingness and imagination to consider alternatives. A serious obstacle is the gap between the fields of nature protection, heritage conservation and economy; this is true for administrations as well for regional stakeholders and actors of the civil society.The Project Vital Landscapes targets at the valorisation and sustainable development of the unique cultural landscapes in Central Europe by developing, implementing and disseminating innovative participation and visualisation techniques. To reach these aims, the Project makes available new technological solutions (like 3D visualisation and GIS databases) as well as participatory moderation methods (using the Agenda 21 approach) to local and regional landscape development scenarios, based on jointly defined landscape quality objectives and supported by promotion of CE landscape values. Achievements: VITAL LANDSCAPES united 8 partners from 7 CE countries with the common aim to preserve the diversity and beauty of landscapes in Central Europe by introducing new visualization techniques and innovative participation processes. After three years of project implementation, all outputs and result have been achieved (for details see www.vital-landscapes.eu): The Project evaluated previous CE projects in landscape and regional development, such identifying factors of success and failure, and screened planning systems of the partner countries with special regard to landscape development. On this basis, a common work group jointly defined landscape quality objectives valid for all CE countries and developed innovative moderation techniques (e.g. community based knowledge management) to support participative regional development. On this theoretical background, the Project used advanced visualisation methods to support participatory development on local/regional level. In a first stage of the project, existing visualisation tools have been analysed with regard to public participation, whereupon a modified GoogleEarth version was identified as most suitable tool. Moreover, the Project developed additional digital tools to visualize landscape changes and to involve local people (e.g. visualisation channel, GIS based decision support system, digitized historic maps). A handbook in detail describes these tools, making available the knowledge for further users as well. Sustainable development of landscapes will only succeed if decision makers, stakeholders and local people become aware of its values and losses. Against this background, the Project developed suitable communication tools, dedicated to the topic of landscape preservation (e.g. commercial films, newspaper campaigns, photo competition). A joint media strategy summarizes best practices and practical recommendations how to communicate the topic of sustainable landscape development in CE. Tools have been tested in 7 pilot regions: The German partners focused on compensation measures for landscape damages. In Austria, regional Agenda 21 processes and landscape dialogues succeed to involve local people. The Polish and Hungarian pilot regions applied advanced visualisation tools (e.g. 3D modelling). The Czech partner supported public participation in protected areas (biosphere reserve). By connecting stakeholders and craftsmen, new regional brands have been created in Slovenian pilot area. A best practice collection describes in detail the implementation of innovative strategies in the pilot regions and the use of participatory development scenarios. Results of the project activities are made available by education programmes and exchange of know-how, e.g. training of cultural landscape guides, development of curricula and strategies how to reach young professionals. A final conference and a final publication summarised activities, lessons learned and best practices.