Step 1: Initial engagement

• Express your interest: Contact the Cities of Learning Network team to express your interest in joining. You can do this via email at info@learningcities.net or by approaching an existing member of the Cities of Learning Network. In either case, we advise you to provide basic information about your organisation and vision for becoming a City of Learning.
• Introductory meeting: Once you contact us, plan an introductory meeting with a representative of the Cities of Learning Network representative. This meeting will help us get to know you better and help you understand the benefits, expectations, and processes involved in becoming a member. It’s also an opportunity to ask any questions you might have.
• Join an upcoming Community call: Join the first forthcoming Call Community online meeting. There, you can meet current network members, ask them questions, and see how they operate. You can also learn about the Community Calls by contacting us or following news on our social communication channels.

Step 2: Planning and preparation

• Needs assessment: Conduct a needs assessment to identify the specific requirements and opportunities within your city or organisation. This involves understanding the local context, the target audience, and the potential impact areas. Cities of Learning Network developed a set of methods for mapping needs and opportunities.
• Set objectives: Define clear objectives for your City of Learning initiative. What are the key outcomes you want to achieve? How will you measure success? Setting these goals will guide your planning and implementation processes. Ideally, this should be done before your introductory meeting with the Cities of Learning Network representative, as it will ensure a more straightforward discussion and steer the conversation in a clear direction based on your needs, interests, and wishes, as well as the Network’s opportunities, activities, and potentials. You can also refer to the Cities of Learning Network Strategy 2030 to see how your goals align with the CoL Network strategy.

Step 3: Developing and implementing

• Set up your platform: Work with the Cities of Learning Network team to set up your digital platform. This platform will become a central place for learning and digital Open Badges opportunities in your territory. It can be achieved through a common application for an Erasmus+ partnership or directly in collaboration with the Cities of Learning Network team.
• Start creating learning opportunities: Develop various opportunities aligning with your organisational vision and objectives. These can include workshops, courses, events, and more. Ensure these opportunities are accessible, engaging, and relevant to your target audience.
• Actively promote: Promote your platform through various channels, including social media, local media, and community networks. Encourage participation and feedback from your audience. Share your development with the Cities of Learning Network team so your growth, achievements, and good practice examples can be shared on our social media and within the Network’s newsletter. Watch the Cities of Learning communication crash course videos to get some ideas for promotion.

Step 4: Building your network

• Form a core team: Assemble a dedicated team to lead the City of Learning initiative (within your organisation and/or city). This team will coordinate activities, manage communications, and drive the project forward. Additionally, we advise you to expand this team based on your needs and the growth level of your City of Learning. The team members should all be well-versed with the platform and its features. They should ideally have diverse skill sets and expertise, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all necessary aspects of your initiative.
• Engage stakeholders: Identify and engage key stakeholders, including educational institutions, local government, businesses, and community organisations. Their support and collaboration are crucial for the success of your initiative, not only with possible financial support but especially with support in recognition and advocacy for the platform, digital learning badges as macroprudential tools, and more.

Step 5: Ongoing support and growth

• Continuous improvement: Regularly assess the impact of your City of Learning initiative. Gather participant and organiser feedback, analyse data, and make necessary adjustments to improve your goals and partnerships.
• International network participation: Actively participate in the global Cities of Learning Network activities. Attend virtual and in-person events, be active in network communication channels (Slack, WhatsApp community, email correspondence), share best practices (and communicate about them to the network management trio team so we can share them on our social media channels, website, and newsletter), and collaborate with other members to enhance the collective impact of the network.
• Scale and expand: As your City of Learning grows, look for opportunities to scale and expand your activities. This could involve partnering with new organisations, developing new learning opportunities, or extending your reach to new communities (locally, nationally and internationally).