Cities of Learning London Competition Pack 2019/20

Call for Entries

thersa.org/cities-of-learning

Welcome to the CompetitionThe Cities of Learning programme is a model to promote and recognise learning wherever it happens and advance the need for continuous lifelong learning.

The Cities of Learning programme works in – and in conjunction with – places to connect learning to opportunity in a way that directly impacts people by fostering inclusivity.

Our Competition looks to identify three localities within London which demonstrate exemplary proposals for connecting young people to learning, self-development and work opportunities in the creative and cultural industries.

We are delighted to have the opportunity to hear from London boroughs and local networks and partnerships which are interested in developing their lifelong learning offer. The winning localities will gain a valuable and supportive partnership with the RSA, a catalyst grant to help bring their ideas to life, and will join our growing network of pioneering cities and places.

Through the Cities of Learning London Competition, we are asking you to

think creatively about designing and delivering learning in new ways across London, including: removing barriers to access, participation and progression; connecting different forms of learning across your place into new learning pathways; and elevating the voice of young people in a way that cultivates a culture of civic pride and identity.

The Competition is part of A New Direction’s Challenge London programme, which aims to develop sustainable, innovative partnerships to support young people’s cultural engagement in London, and the wider Cities of Learning programme developed by the RSA and City & Guilds Group.

Olivia FinnProgramme ManagerCities of Learning London Competition

The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) believes in a world where everyone is able to participate in creating a better future. Through our ideas, research and a 30,000 strong Fellowship we are a global community of active problem solvers, looking to address the main challenges of our time.

Last year Cities of Learning was named by global education non-profit HundrED as one of their most inspiring global Education Innovations for 2019. The RSA & City & Guilds’ model also featured in the WISE & Innovation Unit 2019 report on Local Learning Ecosystems as one of nine global case studies of emerging new practice.

Websitethersa.org/cities-of-learning

RSA8 John Adam StreetLondon WC2N 6EZEngland

Sponsor

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Welcome to the Competition

The Brief

Cities of Learning London Competition

Submission Criteriaand How to Apply

Why we are holding a Competition in London

Competition and Workshop Timeline

Why you should Apply

Contact and Partners

Who in London is Eligible to Apply?

Your Ideas and Questions

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Contents

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Cities of Learning London CompetitionThe Cities of Learning programme, developed by the RSA and City & Guilds Group, is a new model for Cities and places to design and deliver inclusive lifelong learning which is tailored to the needs of local people and economies.

Cities of Learning emerged in the USA through the work of LRNG, harnessing the potential of Digital Open Badges to drive greater participation in informal learning and improve access for those underserved by existing provision. In 2015 the RSA report ‘The New Digital Learning Age’ proposed piloting a City of Learning in the UK.

In the UK, our programme has been developed to address deep-rooted social and systemic challenges, including: access and participation in learning; the availability and reach of opportunities; failure to recognise informal experience as economic, social and cultural capital; and a fractured and disconnected policy environment.

The Cities of Learning model connects and amplifies existing formal and informal learning activities that exist across places into new ‘progression pathways’ for learners. This is designed to develop routes into further learning, employment and civic opportunities.

The Cities of Learning programme is oriented around three core design principles:

For Young People Enables young people to build up a rich portfolio or ‘digital CV’ of their interests and achievements, which is portable across the web, allowing them to demonstrate skills and capabilities not necessarily recognised through the formal education system.

For Learning Providers The approach enables Learning Providers to broaden their reach, engagement and impact.

For EmployersCities of Learning helps address skill gaps and develop talent pipelines into key local employment sectors.

For CitiesThe approach helps to improve civic participation, promote local heritage and identity through learning. In addition, data captured through the platform will provide City leadership with insights about learning and skills engagement.

A SYSTEM OF DIGITAL BADGES OPEN BADGES,

RECOGNISE THE SKILLS AND

CAPABILITIES ACQUIRED BY

LEARNERS

A system of Digital Open Badges, a new type of credential, recognise the skills and capabilities acquired by learners. Through the Cities of Learning platform, the new pathways and progression opportunities will become visible to learners, who are connected into further learning or meaningful employment opportunities.

With support from Ufi Charitable Trust, City & Guilds Group and Further Education Trust for Leadership, in 2017 the RSA collaborated with Greater Manchester, Brighton and Plymouth to test and prototype the Cities of Learning approach. This year, formal pilots will be launched in Brighton and Plymouth.

Developing new local civic leadership approaches with a common and long term vision for learning and skills.

Mobilising diverse networks of formal and informal learning and skills providers, and connecting different learning opportunities into new thematic pathways towards positive destinations.

Giving a value and currency to different learning experiences through Digital Open Badges, which communicate the knowledge, skills and capabilities gained through participation in learning.

The Benefits Cities of Learning provides learners, employers, and education providers with a common language to recognise and communicate these skills.

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Why we are holding a Competition in LondonThe RSA are launching the Cities of Learning London Competition to identify a number of ‘Boroughs of Learning’ and to inspire a mass engagement movement around lifelong learning and skills in supporting London’s youth

Young people growing up in London today are not equally able to share in the prosperity of the City. Lack of mobility and access, inequality, and skill mismatches all temper their promise.

In London 54% of professionals come from families of professionals.¹ Persistent gaps in access, determined by factors such as class, exacerbate inequality. These realities negatively impact how people are able to positively and confidently make choices, to feel part of their City, and to feel represented through the cultural offer.

The job market is changing too – demand for creative and technological skills, unthreatened by automation, are predicted to increase.² Supply isn’t meeting demand however, and 42% of employers aren’t confident in finding the skills they need.³

In this context, the Competition looks to capitalise on important strategies such as Skills for Londoners4, the devolution

of adult education budgets, and linking arts-based learning into broader work, wellbeing and learning pathways.

We want to contribute to making London a more fulfilling, connected and creative place for young people to live, learn and find work in.

Applicants are invited to develop proposals for their ‘Borough of Learning’ which demonstrates the application of the Cities of Learning concept in their locality.

“WE BELIEVE THAT LEARNERS OF ALL AGES DESERVE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP THEIR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND

CAPABILITIES, AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO PROGRESS INTO

MEANINGFUL LEARNING AND WORK OPPORTUNITIES WHICH ENABLE

THEM TO THRIVE.” ROSIE CLAYTON

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, CITIES OF LEARNING

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Why you should ApplyOur innovative model can help you achieve a step change in your work, and provides a framework to meet a range of local and sub regional priorities.

In developing your ‘Borough of Learning’ proposal you have the opportunity to think about how the model can drive real impact in your area. For example:

The Three WinnersThe three most promising proposals will receive recognition through a high profile awards ceremony, a development package, and a catalyst grant. This includes:

We will profile the winning ‘Borough of Learning’ proposals at an awards event, including related media coverage, a feature in the RSA journal and blog opportunities.

Catalyst grants Winners will receive a £5,000 grant as seed funding to help further develop their proposal, start to build a prototype and attract additional investment.

Does your existing STEAM and digital offer struggle with reach and access?

Are you eager to build the profile of creative and cultural opportunities in your area?

Are you looking to connect school leavers without formal qualifications with development opportunities?

Are you interested in building new partnerships across London and developing insights to enhance your current work?

Do you require a framework to drive your inclusive growth or cultural regeneration strategy?

Are you interested in how technology can provide a powerful means to communicate learning and skills?

All Applicants The RSA will support applicants in shaping their proposals through a series of workshops and networking opportunities.

Development of prototypes for your ‘Borough of Learning’ using RSA resources and methodologies.

Taking part in a Stakeholder Design session with employers and key arts, digital and cultural organisations to design and develop Open Digital Badges and create pathways.

Fundraising support to implement your ‘Borough of Learning.’

Membership to the Cities of Learning network of innovative places, a hub for knowledge sharing, ideas and networking.

Every applicant will have the opportunity to attend and benefit from five themed workshops to learn more about Cities of Learning, and help develop their ‘Borough of Learning’ proposal.

Pitch their proposal at a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style event with an expert judging panel.

Connect with RSA Fellows in your locality who can contribute skills and time to the proposal.

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Who in London is Eligible to Apply?The Competition is open to all education, skills, industry and creative partnerships across the capital

We are open to applications from existing or new partnerships (which may emerge through the application process).

We are also very open to how a ‘Borough of Learning’ is defined and your geographic reach doesn’t necessarily need to adhere to existing administrative boundaries.

There needs to be a main applicant for your proposal, but all applications should demonstrate a partnership approach. You will need at least two committed partners to apply.

To apply you must also be either a charitable organisation or public body, eligible to receive public funds.

You can apply to this competition if you the following applies to you:

You are a London local authority

You are a partnership of two or more organisations, ideally with the support of the relevant London borough(s) across the area where you want to implement your idea - A ‘Borough of Learning’ might therefore span one or more Boroughs

Your partners work with young people aged 14-25

Please note: We cannot give grants to businesses, you will need to be a charitable body or a public body to enter.

“THE CITIES OF LEARNING APPROACH SUPPORTS

PLYMOUTH’S COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPING THE CITY AS A

PLACE TO LEARN AND ACHIEVE, PROVIDING A VEHICLE FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, EMPLOYABILITY,

SKILLS, AND TALENT RETENTION DRIVING ECONOMIC AND

CULTURAL GROWTH.”SIMON WAINWRIGHT

PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL

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The BriefSubmission Criteria and How to Apply

How would you create new pathways into learning and work opportunities that ignite the passion and creativity of young people in your locality, and in turn, increase wellbeing for all?

Entries will be judged in the following areas, which underpin the design principles of Cities of Learning, and the aims of the Competition

Your approach to the brief should consider the points below:

Place-basedTell us the story of your place and how the Cities of Learning model can be used to help drive change to improve the lives of young people. What is the role of place and community in supporting the cultural capital and wellbeing of young people?

Asset-basedWhat assets, projects and initiatives already exist in your area that could be connected into your ‘Borough of Learning’ proposal? How would you use this opportunity to shout about and raise the profile of all the positive things you are already doing.

Co-designEmbracing collaborative and open ways of working is essential to the effectiveness of the Cities of Learning model, and in building a team of empowered and driven stakeholders

around a shared vision. How will you achieve this, and how might this support or change existing ways of working?

AmbitionWe want to get a sense of what you think the Cities of Learning approach could achieve for your place in the longer term. In your dream scenario, what would a City of Learning deliver for your locality?

Vision & Mission statementTell us how the Cities of Learning model would enhance and amplify your vision for young people in your place, bringing together local assets, and responding to relevant needs and priorities.

Creativity & InclusivityHow will your proposal be truly inclusive and represent the needs and aspirations of those least likely to have access to opportunities? How would you plan to involve young people in its design?

Local Leadership ModelHow would you use the Cities of Learning concept to develop a new civic local leadership approach?

NetworkHow will you bring together diverse networks of learning and skill providers in the creative and cultural industries to support your vision and ambition?

Digital Technology + Pathway Themes What thematic areas across creative and cultural sectors would you focus on in bringing together formal and informal learning providers and employers using Digital Open Badges?

ViabilityDo you have the skills, resources and ambition to implement your ‘Borough of Learning’, working with the RSA?

How to ApplyRegister online by 16th December on the Competition page on our website: www.thersa.org/cities-of-learning

Full applications need to be completed by 12th March 2020.

If you are unable to submit online, contact citiesoflearning@rsa.org.uk

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26thCompetition Launches and Brief Released

Workshop 1LeadershipNetwork Building

Workshop 2 Introduction to Open Badges and Learning Pathways

16thOnline Registration Deadline

23rdDragon’sDen Pitching Opportunity

Workshop 3 Education & Industry

Workshop 4Visit to Brighton City of Learning

Workshop 5Policy & Context for Cities of Learning and fundraising

12thOnline Submission Deadline

October November December January

Competition & Workshop Timeline Please check the Competition webpage on the RSA site at www.thersa.org/cities-of-learning for further information about the workshop series, and to book your place.

16th - 27thJudging

30thWinners Announced

Awards Ceremony

Prototyping with three winners

February March April May JuneSeptember

Workshops We will be running a series of five workshops to support applicants in developing strong and ambitious proposals.

Workshops will be aimed at representatives from London Boroughs, education and skills partnerships, and creative and cultural organisations who are interested to find out more, and potentially apply. The workshops will:

Give insight into the core components of the Cities of Learning model to help develop proposals in-line with the submission criteria.

Inspire applicants by showcasing emerging best practice related to the model in the UK and internationally.

Enable applicants to network and learn from others doing similar work in London.

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Contacts and Partners

Your Ideas and Questions

For further information about Cities of Learning please get in contact

The following pages are for your notes

Rosie ClaytonAssociate DirectorCities of Learning rosie.clayton@rsa.org.uk

Olivia FinnProgramme ManagerCities of Learning olivia.finn@rsa.org.uk

Websitewww.thersa.org.uk/cities-of-learning

Cities of Learning Programme PartnerCity & Guilds Group Helping people achieve their potential through learning is core to what we do. We develop skills that help people into a job, develop on that job and to prepare for their next job. Through our brands: City & Guilds, ILM, Kineo, The Oxford Group and Gen2 we offer a range of products and services from digital credentialing to executive leadership development. We encourage excellence, celebrate achievement and are proud to support individuals achieve their potential.

Competition SponsorA New Direction London-based non-profit, A New Direction, is generating opportunities for children and young people to unlock their creativity.

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References1. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/798404/SMC_State_of_the_Nation_Report_2018-19.pdf 2. https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Featured%20Insights/Future%20of%20Organizations/Skill%20shift%20Automation%20and%20the%20future%20of%20the%20workforce/MGI-Skill-Shift-Automation-and-future-of-the-workforce-May-2018.ashx 3.https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/our-key-themes/economic-development/adult-skills-0/bridging-skills-gap/skills-gap-london 4.https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/skills-and-employment/skills-londoners/strategy-and-research

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Sponsor