Instituting lifelong learning as a general, overarching and integrated structural principle for the system of education and training, to address the changing needs of society and the challenges that result, is currently a top priority for educational policy in the State of Hesse. The HESSENCAMPUS initiative for Centers of Lifelong Learning (Zentren lebensbegleitenden Lernens / HC-ZLL) is a leading example of the programs created as part of this educational-policy effort. 

The Odenwaldkreis district is located in the Darmstadt administrative district. It is bounded to the north by the district of Darmstadt-Dieburg, to the east by the Bavarian district of Miltenberg, to the southeast and south by the Neckar-Odenwald and Rhine-Neckar districts of Baden-Württemberg, and to the west by the Bergstraße district. There Odenwaldkreis has some 98,000 residents living in 15 communities, including 5 cities. A regional HC (HESSENCAMPUS) was created in the Odenwaldkreis district as a way to make lasting improvements in the region's opportunities for education and continuing education. As in many other regions, in Odenwald successful regional economic development is based not least on providing a broad and effective system of education and training for the citizenry. Viewed as a resource factor, education and training is one of the principal elements involved in providing lasting security for the economic survival and quality of life of a region's inhabitants. 

The objective of the HESSENCAMPUS Odenwaldkreis is to serve as a point of contact in matters involving learning and development in the district. In addition to local companies and institutions, it provides individuals who are interested or seek guidance - regardless of their age or social background - lifestyle-oriented, general and vocational offerings that make the vision of lifelong learning both real and practicable. This is intended to strengthen not only the Odenwaldkreis region's economy but also its viability as a livable location that offers cultural vitality. 

The following serve as core institutions of the HESSENCAMPUS Odenwaldkreis: the district school administration, the vocational school center of the Odenwaldkreis district (Berufliches Schulzentrum Odenwaldkreis), Theodor Litt School (Theodor-Litt-Schule), School for Adults (Schule für Erwachsene) and the Academy for life-long learning / adult education center of the Odenwaldkreis district (Akademie für lebenslanges Lernen/vhs Odenwaldkreis). 

Project management of the HCOHESSENCAMPUS Odenwaldkreis is provided by the heads of the institutions that make it up.