The aim of this manual is to help local communities prepare for potential crises, building on the experience of COVID 19 pandemics. It contains theoretical and practical knowledge on active citizenship and community participation, and presents lessons learned from the pandemic. The handbook provides thorough knowledge on crisis, its effects and measures leaders can/should do to minimise the effects on their community. From this handbook you can also learn the methodology of public involvement and co-creation and share good practices. The handbook is useful for community professionals such as educators, youth workers, community organisers, cultural managers who are already active leaders or organisers but would like to make a step further and prepare themselves and their community for a potential crisis. However we designed this book having in mind those citizens who care about their local community and are willing to take action to bring it together. To make the most out of the knowledge gathered here take the e-learning modules and read the training curriculum as well. The handbook was elaborated with co-creation methods by the project partners involving local community organisers from four participating countries.