Awero team

Cities of Learning Wrapped 2024

4 Jan, 17:58

2025 might already have arrived with all its promise, but before we step into it fully, there’s still time to reflect on what the Cities of Learning Network achieved in 2025. To help with that, we asked our network members to think about some of their highlights, and you can read all about them below.
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For some 2024 was about sharing progress…Urška Česnik from Ljubljana City of Learning said: "My 2024 Cities of Learning highlight was presenting the Quality Label for Open Badges at the Slovene national youth sector conference in November 2024.”
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“Not only did I get to share 2-years work and a vision from Cities of Learning partnership, but I also got to open the conversation of NFL recognition and quality with my national colleagues and saw that our standard can be beneficial for a broader community, not just youth organisations in Slovenia.”
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“Not to brag, but even the Minister of Education himself stopped by, to see what this quality standard is all about!”
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For others, finding the beauty in nature while collaborating on work hit the spot…Giulia Degortes Caivano from Sardinia Island of Learning said: “My highlight of 2024 has definitely been going to Neringa, in Lithuania, for our latest trio coordination meeting back in September.” 
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“It was such a beautiful place, so quiet and unique, that it put us all in a great mood, where ideas flowed freely and it never felt like work. Being visited by a red fox mid-meeting was just the cherry on the cake: even wildlife wants to join the CoL family!”
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Nerijus Kriaučiūnas from Vilnius City of Learning added: “I enjoyed hosting the Cities of Learning Network coordination meeting in Neringa, bringing people from both TRIO teams.”
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“We had a good balance of working together and relaxing in beautiful nature. It represents well what I seek in Cities of Learning.”
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For some, reconnecting with Cities of Learning and going ‘behind the scenes’ was key…Danijela Ranđelović from Novi Sad City of Learning said: "One of the highlights of my Learning Cities experience in 2024 was my re-entry into the Cities of Learning network, but this time behind the scenes.”
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“In previous years, I participated as a participant in exchanges and trainings organized by the network as Cities of Learning ambassador.”
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“In September, at the trio meeting, I got the opportunity to learn how the network works and to contribute to the creation of the strategy for 2025.”
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For a couple, achieving the Quality Label had a big impact…Myrthe Rensen from Rotterdam City of Learning said: “It was an inspiring and educational year for us in terms of the Open Badges and the collaboration with Cities of Learning.” 
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“The highlight is without a doubt obtaining the Quality Label. This label is very valuable for Rotterdam Library, because it shows that we have expertise in issuing badges and it underlines the importance of informal learning for adults.”
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Theo Hutten from Pro4Sport in project ExpeditieRED added: “After half a year, we discovered that we could use our ExpeditieRED platform much more broadly.”
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“In 2025, we will use ExpeditieRED for all our activities and not just for community service. Now that we have our Quality Label, we are much stronger and that will also be very useful to us internationally.”
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Some connected with others in the Netherlands at our Growing Recognition Ecosystems event…Monique Raphaela from Curaçao Island of Learning said: “My highlight was the big event in Eindhoven, for sure! I liked that we had the chance to meet people that I'd previously only met online, that was very nice.”
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Eunice Eisden from Curaçao Island of Learning added: “The meeting in Eindhoven was my highlight, because before that moment we didn't have a lot of highlights. The group from Curaçao is really engaged with the rest of the Dutch team, and also meeting all the other CoL members was really nice!”
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While many saw significant progress and growth…Sandra Zoomers from Dutch Cities of Learning said: “Reflecting on 2024, I'm struck by the incredible progress we've made with Dutch Cities of Learning.” 
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“The growth in both numbers and the depth of our collaborations has been inspiring. While our virtual meetings have been invaluable, there's something truly special about connecting with colleagues in person.” 
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“That shared experience is something I'll cherish for a long time.”
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Others thrived on collaboration and synergies…Sonja Čandek from Ljubljana City of Learning said: “My highlight of the year 2024 was mutual respect of all partners involved in the CoL Network. No matter the background and capacities, we always had synergies to assist each other.”
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And for some, it was a chance to reset…Davide Fumi from Turin Metropolitan City of Learning said: “Back on track!”
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So with all that, the Cities of Learning Network is setting its sights on 2025 and wondering what our highlights at the end of this year will be.
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Photo by JJ Ying on Unsplash﻿
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
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Badgecraft alberga esta plataforma y la desarrolla junto con organizaciones líderes educativas. El consorcio Europeo desarrolla esta plataforma con la cofinanciación del programa Erasmus+ de la Unión Europea.