The toolbox is a participatory instrument, supporting local authorities in their strategic master planning endeavors. The objective is to facilitate planning based on more realistic assumptions about how regions are shrinking and on the population’s interests, preferences, needs and wishes for what constitutes a ‘good life’ in the context of their local community. The result will be ideas for innovative strategies, strategic elements, and measures developed as co-created and visually represented solutions. The toolbox offers a transdisciplinary approach, in line with the framework of innovative planning that places a greater emphasis upon the following: 
a) engaging societal actors in planning to mobilize more resources for development, 
b) creating a knowledge-based and realistic approach, 
c) developing new roles for politicians, 
d) developing processes to legitimize other social objectives,
e) developing innovative processes in the search for alternative goals, strategies, and solutions.