In December 2008, the British company 'Governance International' organised a study trip on community empowerment in social services to Nürtingen and Stuttgart, Germany. These two cities have been very successful at including and empowering the local community. This report presents the main findings and lessons from the trip that may also be of interest to other organisations and municipalities in Europe. It explains how and why Nürtingen and Stuttgart have been able to mobilise large parts of their inhabitants and how they have established rewarding partnerships between public, private and third-sector parties.