Right-wing extremists try to gain ground especially in underdeveloped rural regions. In small towns, their various and intimidating options of influence often face helpless local authorities and citizens. Resistance to this specific situation requires not only courage but also professional support. This is where the federal programme „Kompetent für Demokratie - Beratungsnetzwerke gegen Rechtsextremismus“ (“Qualified for democracy – counselling networks against right-wing extremism”) by the German Ministry of Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) applies. It is designed to support local counsellors in conflict situations with a racist, xenophobic or anti-Semitic background. Within the model project, three partners face this task: The National Network for Civil Society (bbe, Bundesnetzwerk Bürgerschaftliches Engagement) in cooperation with the Academy for Social Education and Social Work e.V. of the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and the nexus Institute. The project carries the name “Zivilgesellschaft stärken – Handlungsstrategien gegen Rechtsextremismus im strukturschwachen, ländlichen Raum” (“encouraging civil society – strategies of action against right-wing extremism in underdeveloped, rural areas”). Its goal is to develop and carry out instructions of action for the municipal practice in underdeveloped, rural regions of Eastern and Western Germany. During a first step, nexus analyzes documents on right-wing activities, modes of defence and factors of success in fighting racism in the districts of Uecker-Randow (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), Schaumburg (Lower Saxony) and Kyffhäuserkreis (Thuringia). The emphasis of the examination lies on prospects and limits of advising local actors.