Become a UNESCO City of Lifelong Learning

The Accreditation Process

• Introduction

  Initiated in 2013, the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities supports and improves the practice of lifelong learning in the world’s cities by promoting dialogue and peer learning, forging links, fostering partnerships, providing capacity development, and developing instruments to encourage and recognise progress made.

  The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is made up of over 225 cities in more 60 countries. Each city in the network mobilises their resources to promote inclusive learning from basic to higher education, revitalise learning in families and communities, facilitate learning for and in the workplace, extend the use of modern learning technologies, enhance quality and excellence in learning, and foster a culture of learning throughout life.

  In doing so, each City of Lifelong Learning enhances individual empowerment and social inclusion, economic development and cultural prosperity, and sustainable development.

  The UK National Commission for UNESCO works closely with a range of independent experts to ensure that any applications from the UK put forward to UNESCO for consideration have been fully peer-reviewed, quality assessed and endorsed.

• Take the first steps

  Download and read the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities Guiding Documents and other documentation available in our Resource Centre or via the links below.

  Make contact with the UK National Commission for UNESCO. We will answer any initial queries you have and explain the application process in more detail.

• Considerations

  Please note that the full application process to become a UNESCO Designation can take several years, and not all applications are successful. There is also a limit on the number of applications the UK submits to UNESCO each year, and each Designation type has its own application cycle within a calendar year. In this respect, we recommend you contact us as soon as possible.