Learning from Europe’s Most Inspiring Learning Cities: LEAP II Showcases Local Sustainability in Action
From Bonn to Ljubljana, from Glasgow to Viladecans, LEAP II collected real examples of how European cities are using lifelong learning to build greener, more inclusive, and more resilient communities
One of the most valuable outcomes developed within the LEAP II – Local Adult Education Policy II project is the publication dedicated to the analysis of selected European Learning Cities and their approaches to sustainability, lifelong learning, and community engagement. The report brings together experiences, reflections, and practical examples from twelve cities across Europe that are actively promoting greener and more inclusive urban futures through education and citizen participation.
The publication focuses on cities that are members of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) or strongly aligned with its principles. The selected cities include Bonn, Charleroi, Derry, Dublin, Girona, Glasgow, Groningen, Liège, Ljubljana, Pécs, Trnava, and Viladecans, each representing different local realities, governance approaches, and sustainability priorities.
Rather than offering purely theoretical discussions, the report explores how these cities are translating sustainability goals into concrete community-based actions. Through local initiatives, partnerships, learning festivals, urban innovation projects, environmental campaigns, and green skills programmes, the selected Learning Cities demonstrate how lifelong learning can become a practical driver for social cohesion, environmental awareness, and local resilience.
The report highlights that there is no single model for becoming a Learning City. Each city developed its own strategy according to local needs, resources, and challenges. For example, Glasgow places strong emphasis on climate resilience, biodiversity restoration, and active citizen participation through projects such as GALLANT, while Dublin focuses on inclusive learning ecosystems and community-based learning initiatives connected to sustainability and social inclusion.
Other cities showcased innovative approaches that connect environmental sustainability with everyday community life. Girona promotes smart and sustainable urban management through educational actions and technological innovation, while Liège combines circular economy initiatives, participatory governance, and community workshops to strengthen environmental responsibility among citizens.
The report also places particular attention on the role of green competences and how cities are helping citizens develop practical sustainability skills. Examples include renewable energy training programmes, zero-waste initiatives, urban gardening, sustainable mobility campaigns, community repair spaces, biodiversity projects, and intergenerational learning activities. These experiences demonstrate that sustainability education can be integrated into daily urban life in accessible and engaging ways.
Another important dimension explored throughout the publication is the role of partnerships. The report repeatedly highlights that successful Learning Cities are built through collaboration between municipalities, universities, NGOs, schools, VET providers, businesses, cultural institutions, and citizens themselves. In many cases, sustainability actions become more effective when communities are directly involved in co-creating local solutions and participating in learning opportunities.
Beyond presenting inspiring examples, the publication also provides recommendations for future training areas and policy development connected to sustainability education and lifelong learning. Topics such as renewable energy, circular economy, green infrastructure, sustainable mobility, waste reduction, and climate awareness are identified as priority areas for future adult learning initiatives across Europe.
Ultimately, the report demonstrates that Learning Cities are not only educational concepts, but practical community ecosystems capable of supporting greener transitions, stronger social inclusion, and more participatory local governance. Through the collection of these case studies, LEAP II offers municipalities and educational stakeholders concrete inspiration and replicable ideas for building more sustainable and learning-oriented communities.
The LEAP II project was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission, supporting innovation and cooperation in education, lifelong learning, and sustainable community development across Europe. All project outputs and publications are available in multilingual and open-access formats to maximise accessibility and transferability.
To discover the full publication and explore all LEAP II resources, please visit:
https://www.leap2local.eu/2/index.html
