This document explores the themes of sustainability, rural poverty, community activism, and challenging racism in the United Kingdom. The book presents 21 case studies demonstrating ways in which 18 organizations and 3 activists in the United Kingdom have worked successfully with adult learners to empower their communities, develop capacity, and encourage participation in local decision making. Selected themes highlighted in the individual case studies are as follows: (1) enabling and preparing residents for participation; (2) meeting the needs of people who are black or from minority groups; (3) women's education and learning the skills for active engagement; (4) baseline research and providing the right opportunities; (5) reaching out to communities; (6) neighborhood renewal in residential areas; (7) adult and community learning and its relationship to neighborhood renewal and the economy; and (8) seafaring and neighborhood renewal. The concluding chapter discusses the following talking points emerging from the case studies: (1) learning and neighborhood renewal; (2) the language of neighborhood renewal; (3) conflict between community groups and mainstream institutions; (4) having the skills to do the job; (5) measuring quality and impact in neighborhood renewal; (6) employment issues; and (7) putting the poorest people in the driver's seat. Eleven suggestions for further reading and 19 World Web Sites are listed. (MN)