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Antwerp City of Learning platform and international platforms
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 1:00 PM - 16:30
Antwerp City of Learning platform and international platforms
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 1:00 PM - 16:30
Teave
This activity is for international participants taking part in the Cities of Learning study visit for Networking and Advocating and local Antwerp stakeholders with interest in Antwerp City of Learning and international partners.
This session, co-organised by CAP-City and CODEC, is designed for participants to gain a deep understanding of CAP-City's vision for Learning EcoSystems and their practical implementation within the Cities of Learning Network. The purpose is to foster an exchange of good practices, learn how to value non-formal learning as a pathway, and explore how to make skills visible through platforms like Antwerp City of Learning. During the afternoon, local stakeholders will join to present ideas, cooperation proposals, and projects between local stakeholders and CAP-City/CODEC, motivating the use of the Antwerp Cities of Learning platform. There will also be discussions on proposals and projects involving the international partners present. This activity directly enhances "Networking and Advocating", "Communicating Meaningfully", and "Designing Programmes" competence areas within the European Training Strategy (ETS) Competence Model for Youth Workers.
Why this Activity? (Understanding inclusive learning pathways & System change)
Learning from CAP-City alongside CODEC and local stakeholders, offers invaluable insights into building inclusive Learning EcoSystems that genuinely value non-formal learning. This session provides a unique opportunity to see how dedicated organizations work to bridge the gap between young people and opportunities by making diverse skills visible through Open Badges. By understanding their vision and practical experience, participants can exchange good practices, identify innovative approaches to education, employment, and inclusion, and strengthen the collective advocacy for more inclusive learning systems within the Cities of Learning Network. The involvement of local stakeholders and the focus on concrete cooperation proposals will allow for direct engagement and the exploration of new partnerships, both locally and internationally.
About CAP-City
CAP-City vzw is an organisation based in Antwerp, committed to supporting young people who are disconnected from school or work. Through a comprehensive approach that includes coaching, practical learning, and strong partnerships, CAP-City guides these young individuals toward personal growth and seizing opportunities.
At its core, CAP-City is actively building a Learning EcoSystem that fundamentally values non-formal learning as a legitimate and powerful pathway to education, employment, and social inclusion. As an integral part of the broader Cities of Learning network, CAP-City manages the Antwerp City of Learning platform. On this platform, young people can earn Open Badges to digitally represent and make their acquired skills and learning visible and verifiable. CAP-City's mission is clear: to make learning accessible for everyone and to contribute to making existing educational and employment systems more inclusive.
Connecting with Cities of Learning
The connection between CAP-City's vision and the Cities of Learning Network is foundational and symbiotic:
- Shared Philosophy: Both CAP-City and the Cities of Learning Network share a core belief in the value of all learning, regardless of where or how it takes place, especially non-formal learning.
- Practical Implementation: CAP-City serves as a prime example of a Cities of Learning partner actively implementing the network's vision by managing a local City of Learning platform (Antwerp).
- Empowering Learners: CAP-City directly supports young people in making their skills visible through Open Badges, a central mechanism of the Cities of Learning platform for recognising and validating diverse learning pathways.
- Systemic Change: By focusing on Learning EcoSystems and advocating for non-formal learning, CAP-City directly contributes to the Cities of Learning Network's broader goal of fostering more inclusive and responsive learning environments.
- Good Practice Exchange: CAP-City's experience in building partnerships, coaching, and using Open Badges provides valuable good practices that can be exchanged and adapted by other Cities of Learning partners. The inclusion of local stakeholders and proposals will further enrich this exchange, demonstrating real-world applications and inspiring new international collaborations.
Through this session, participants can gain concrete insights into the practicalities of building a local Cities of Learning ecosystem, the power of Open Badges in empowering learners, and strategies for advocating for the systemic recognition of non-formal learning, while directly engaging with local partners and potential international projects.
Objectives of the activity
- To understand CAP-City's vision and practical approach to building an inclusive Learning EcoSystem in Antwerp, co-developed with CODEC.
- To learn how CAP-City uses the Antwerp City of Learning platform and Open Badges to make skills visible and create pathways for young people.
- To engage with local stakeholders, listening to their ideas, cooperation proposals, and projects involving CAP-City and CODEC, particularly those focused on using the Antwerp Cities of Learning platform.
- To explore and discuss cooperation proposals and projects that could involve international partners (the study visit participants).
- To exchange good practices and identify transferable strategies for valuing non-formal learning in local and international contexts.
- To strengthen participants' understanding of how to advocate for the recognition of non-formal learning and inclusive systems through concrete examples.
- To gain insight into the diverse implementations and benefits of Cities of Learning platforms across various international contexts.
Instructions
1. Engage with CAP-City's Vision and Local Stakeholder Collaboration:
- Participants should actively listen to CAP-City's and CODEC's presentation on their vision for Learning EcoSystems and their work with the Antwerp City of Learning platform.
- Consider how their approach resonates with or differs from their own organisational context.During the afternoon session, participants will have the opportunity to engage with local stakeholders.
- Actively listen to ideas, cooperation proposals, and projects being presented by local stakeholders in collaboration with CAP-City and CODEC, especially those demonstrating the use of the Antwerp Cities of Learning platform.
- Be prepared to share brief examples of how your own organization values and recognizes non-formal learning or supports young people's pathways to education, employment, and inclusion, contributing to the local discussions.
2. Explore international collaboration
- Listen for opportunities and specific proposals that could involve international partners from the study visit.
- Formulate questions for CAP-City, CODEC, local stakeholders, or fellow international participants to deepen the exchange of good practices and explore potential international collaborations.
3. Presentations from diverse examples of Cities of Learning Platforms :
- Participants will meet the people behind various Cities of Learning platforms from around the network. Each presentation will highlight the unique aspects and benefits of using the platform as a learning ecosystem.
- This is an opportunity to ask questions directly to the platform managers and understand their specific implementation models.
Slot 1:
Slot 2:
Slot 3:
4. Identify contributions and reflect
- Reflect on how CAP-City's and CODEC's model, specific local practices, or proposed projects (from both local stakeholders and the diverse platform presentations) could inform their own work or the broader Cities of Learning Network.
- Consider how their organisation could contribute to or benefit from deeper engagement with the Learning EcoSystem concept and the Cities of Learning platform, potentially through new international partnerships.
Completion & Badge
By actively participating in the session on CAP-City's vision, engaging with local stakeholders and their cooperation proposals, contributing to the exchange of good practices, and reflecting on contributions to the Cities of Learning Network, participants will earn the "EcoSystem Explorer" badge! This badge signifies proactive engagement in understanding and contributing to the development of inclusive learning environments and the strategic use of platforms for skill recognition. This contribution directly supports the development of "Networking and Advocating", "Communicating Meaningfully", and "Designing Programmes" competence areas as defined by the ETS Competence Model for Youth Workers. This badge has been issued by the Cities of Learning Network Partner trio who are managing the Network.
Activity cover picture (c) CAP-City website
Resources
Get activity badge
EcoSystem Explorer Get this badge
This badge is awarded to participants of the Cities of Learning study visit for Networking and Advocating who actively engaged in the "Introduction to CAP-City's Vision on Learning EcoSystems and Exchanging Good Practices" session.
Earned Competences: By successfully participating in this activity, the earner has demonstrated:
- Networking and Advocating: The ability to proactively engage with an organization spearheading an innovative learning ecosystem, identify synergies, and advocate for the value of non-formal learning and transparent skill recognition.
- Communicating Meaningfully: The capacity to engage in insightful discussions, exchange good practices, and articulate how new models can benefit the wider network.
- Designing Programmes: An enhanced understanding of the principles and practicalities involved in creating and managing integrated learning pathways and platforms within a local ecosystem.
This badge signifies a commitment to exploring and contributing to the development of dynamic and inclusive learning environments, expanding the reach and impact of the Cities of Learning Network. This badge has been issued by the Cities of Learning Network Partner trio who are managing the Network.
Ülesanded
Task no.1
Issued by organiser or scanning QR code
To enrich your badge you can reflect on the session with:
- What was the most surprising or unexpected observation you made during this study visit, and why did it stand out to you?
- How can you apply what you've learned or observed today to your current work or professional development? Consider specific actions or changes you might implement.
- What is one key question that emerged for you during the visit, and what further exploration or information do you feel you need to address it?
Skills
#Networking and advocating
ETS-TR
#Communicating meaningfully with others
ETS-TR
#Designing educational programmes
Organiseerijad
Network of Cities and Regions of Learning
Badge issuer recognized with
Badgecraft käitab veebi taristut Õppimise linnade ja regioonide jaoks. Euroopa konsortsium arendab seda platvormi kaasrahastusega Euroopa Liidu programmist Erasmus+.
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