A non-governmental, non-political and voluntary association, established in 1998. ASTRA vision: Slovakia is a better place for happy life of well-educated people which are able to cooperate and take the responsibility for themselves & their regions. ASTRA mission: provide lifelong learning; support research and development capacities; build relationships between non-profit, academic and commercial spheres, and public administration; support and develop the human and institutional capacity for all types of entities. Main activities: Design of development concepts & strategic studies; Support of regional development through the lifelong learning; Plans, programs & projects: design & management; Impact assessment of policies, plans, programs & projects; Evaluation of preparedness of self-governing regions/cities for development; Transfer of knowledge & skills in the area of regional development & technologies from & to Slovakia; Education, consultations & advisory in the development process