Discussions on the topic of communities are increasing especially within the context of knowledge management. The initiation of communities as a measure for the support and implementation of knowledge management provides multiple opportunities for the development oft the future further-education environment. In this contribution the vague definition of communities will be refined and described in detail. Furthermore on the basis of a knowledge management framework the knowledge management processes in communities will be analysed. To conclude the potential that lies within the community approach for further education will be demonstrated by means of three examples.