The paper assesses four community based world affairs education projects--Columbus-in-The World (CITW), Kettering-Findlay Experiment (KFE), Community International Education Consultation (CIEC), Overseas Development Council, and Kettering Foundation Transnational Dialogues on Food and Development (TND). The objectives of the paper are to assess the contribution of these projects to the theory and practice of world affairs education at the local level and to develop a knowledge base regarding the relationship of citizenship and leadership skills to the foreign policy process. Data are presented for each of the four projects regarding objectives, planning, components, administration, follow-up community activities, problems, participants, and evaluation. Comparative analysis indicated that the projects had certain similiarities (a desire to improve communication between citizens and policy leaders, gain information about the interrelationships of domestic and international affairs, and mobilize constituency leaders for grass roots educational activities) and certain differences (some focused on educational activities, some on community affairs, and some used local workshops extensively whereas others relied on national and international travel study experiences). The conclusion is that educators will develop more effective world affairs programs if they investigate evaluative material regarding strengths and weaknesses of existing programs. (DB)