In the framework of the development of Lifelong Learning (LLL) being promoted under the Lisbon Strategyand the Copenhagen Process, the Fondation des Régions Européennes pour la Recherche en Education et enFormation [Foundation of European Regions for Research into Education and Training] (FREREF) has for thepast five years helped to promote exchanges between the European regions by holding an annual event: theEuropean Summer School for Research and Innovation concerning Lifelong Learning. In more than 30participating regions in Europe, researchers, actors in the field (professionals, social partners) and decisionmakershave shared their experiences and innovations.The partner regions now feel that a permanent, structured network needs to be set up to promote thecontinuation of these exchanges and better coordination of inter-regional actions to promote LLL - and this toincrease the practical knock-on benefits in the regions.It is with this in mind that the Regions for Lifelong Learning network (REGIO-LLL) has been set up, bringingtogether 16 partners, including 10 regional authorities and FREREF. This network also has links with a further37 regions and other regional actors directly involved in the area of its activities.Objectives and actions: the aims of REGIO-LLL are to move from cooperation based on ideas (Summerschools) to cooperation based on action; to gather the tools and instruments it needs to promote inter-regionaltransfers of experiences; and thus to promote LLL as both "practice and policy" at regional level.This network is based on the decision-makers/researchers/practitioners triad that provides the originality andpower of its actions.For this purpose, REGIO-LLL hopes to develop a framework of actions comprising four elements:1. Project workshops: a process of cooperation and exchanges of practices between the regions as regards LLLissues, which should lead to the drawing up and implementation of recommendations. Groups of regions willbe responsible for three project workshops on themes directly concerning their policies:- "the regions' role in the mobility of apprentices and young people receiving vocational training";- "the transition from initial training at secondary-education level to working life";- "the transition from university to the world of work".The aim of these project workshops is to set up common inter-regional actions that will have practicalrepercussions on regional policies;2. Aid for regional actors in setting up, exploiting and transferring inter-regional projects and their results bythe establishment of a common platform enabling European regions to share instruments, methods andcontacts;3. Promotion and organisation of the mobility of professionals in the field of vocational education and training(VET), with the development of a second inter-regional platform to increase the amount, quality and impact ofmobility;4. Harmonisation with the European level to encourage the regions to adopt the guidelines and instrumentsissuing from the Copenhagen Process. Partnerships with European LLL actors and networks are to beestablished for this purpose.At the same time, REGIO-LLL partners will seek to enhance the functions of network promotion and resultsassessment, and to develop internal and external dissemination activities.Particular efforts will be made to ensure the continuation and expansion of the network (especially into theUK, Ireland and Scandinavia, which are currently under-represented in REGIO-LLL).By conducting all these activities, REGIO-LLL hopes to establish lasting action and cooperation by theEuropean regions as regards LLL, with a broad-ranging, practical impact.