Wide-Field Imaging In Star Forming Regions: search for young brown dwarfs

We present strategies for the identification of low-mass Pre-Main Sequence stars, young brown dwarfs and free-floating planet candidates using wide-field imaging techniques in star forming regions. We report first results of an optical and near-IR imaging survey in southern star forming regions and multi-object spectroscopic follow-up. Future surveys with VST and VISTA will significantly increase the number of young BD candidates for IMF studies in the sub-stellar regime and will allow the search for young free-