The Cynon Valley Project in Wales, United Kingdom, used funding from the Save the Children Fund and the Bernard van Leer Foundation to address consequences of economic decline in the two communities of Fernhill and Perthcelyn. The project's focus was on early childhood education and community development. Though starting at about the same time and under similar conditions, the project's development in the two communities diverged radically: one community continued its early childhood work, among other activities, while the other concentrated on community action. In Fernhill, children's services included child care, playgroups, child assessments, and new mothers' groups. There, the project helped to ease the transition into school, helped children learn new skills, and encouraged them to be more confident and expressive. The project in both locations allowed parents a break from their children, and provided opportunities to meet others, training and education opportunities, and opportunities for parents to work as volunteers. In Fernhill, a core group of parents undertook formal training and became childcare volunteers, while in Perthcelyn, the core group campaigned for services for themselves and for their children, leading to considerable changes in the project plan. The project's major success was in promoting child development, empowering adults, setting up community groups, and promoting large-scale regeneration. (KB)