The Spitzer Legacy survey "From Molecular Cores to Planet-forming Disks" (c2d Evans et al. 2003) provided infrared observations of sources that span the evolutionary se-quence from molecular cores to proto-planetary disks, encompassing a wide range of star-forming environments. These overall observations allowed to study crucial steps in the for-mation of stars and planets with unprecedented sensitivity. We present some results from the Spitzer observations and complementary data in the low-mass star forming regions in Chamaeleon II and Lupus. We focus, in particular, on the star-formation history and activ-ity of these clouds, the low-mass end of their IMF and the envelope/disk properties of their young populations.