Cities of Learning

Cities of Learning

Together, we put learning on the map.


About Cities of Learning

It's a programme that helps cities and regions design and deliver inclusive lifelong learning.

The aim of the programme is to transform the potential of each participating city and region's learning ecosystem.

This will help build the skills needed for its people, employers and community to thrive.

Cities of Learning works with employers, educators, policy makers and learners to agree shared learning priorities for their town, city or region and to recognise those skills through digital badges.

Head of Programme at the RSA Tom Kenyon

Who we work with

We, at the RSA, manage the Cities of Learning programme.

Delivery Partners 

We deliver the programme in partnership with Badge Nation, Future Creators, Navigatr and Real Ideas. Between us, we:

  • provide solutions for organisations, networks and place-based leaders to enhance learning opportunities
  • bring expertise in strategy, research, digital badging and platform development.

This model builds on the work of other leading global initiatives such as LRNG in the USA and UNESCO Learning Cities.

Cities of Learning partner image, showing Badge Nation, Navigatr, Future Creators and Real Ideas logos

Funding Partners 

The RSA is extremely grateful to our funding partners who generously support this work. Their funding and practical support helps us to provide the practices and training needed to enable cities and regions in the UK to reach their full potential.

Current funders include: Ufi Voctech Trust and Garfield Weston Foundation.


Ways to get involved

Learn about the various ways you can partner with or support Cities of Learning:

Create digital badges and learning pathways

Help learners articulate the skills, knowledge and experience they develop through your activities.

Join our place-based learning network

Join our network to share and celebrate insights from learning practitioners across the UK and the globe.

Build a place-based programme

Get access to support so you can take an active role in shaping the learning ecosystem in your city or region.

Fund Cities of Learning

Boost the UK’s learning and development ecosystem by funding Cities of Learning.


Ways we can help

Learning organisations

Make your offer more discoverable, measurable, inclusive and relevant to today’s learners.

We can support you to:

  • add value to your skills offer
  • measure the impact of your programme or demonstrate compliance
  • make your programme more visible to learners
  • help your students better articulate what they have learned with you.

Employers

Are you in a Cities of Learning location? If so, get support to discover work-ready talent that fits your company needs and culture.

We can support you to:

  • connect with the right talent for your business
  • enhance your recruitment process and support diversity and inclusivity
  • enhance your training and development offer through badging
  • address skills gaps through responsive learning.

Place-based leaders

Improve the economic, social and individual wellbeing of your borough, town, city or region.

We can support you to:

  • increase access to learning for all
  • prepare specific groups for work
  • address skills gaps or diversity issues
  • encourage a sense of place, identity, and ambition.

Cities of Learning locations

Learn about the cities and regions already running our Leadership Programme:


Tom Kenyon, Head of Programme

Learn, unlearn, relearn

As economic, climate and societal challenges loom large on our horizon, there is a growing and legitimate interest in what skills the UK economy and society might need in the coming decades.