Vol. 26 No. 1 (2026): Evaluating the experience and impact of Learning Cities. From reporting to transformative capacity: criteria, evidence, comparability
Invited Articles

Governance in Learning Cities in Italy. Evaluation Report

Paolo Federighi
University of Florence

Published 2026-03-31

Keywords

  • Territorial governance,
  • Lifelong Learning,
  • Shared administration,
  • Quality of local policies

How to Cite

Federighi, P., & Arne, C. (2026). Governance in Learning Cities in Italy. Evaluation Report. Form@re - Open Journal Per La Formazione in Rete, 26(1), 43–60. Retrieved from https://oaj.fupress.net/index.php/formare/article/view/20527

Abstract

This report evaluates the experience of Italian Unesco Learning Cities, focusing on governance processes and lifelong learning strategies. Through dialogic interviews with representatives from Italian learning cities, the study identifies the key added value of the initiative while highlighting existing structural obstacles. The document emphasizes the need to shift from a narrative of best practices toward data-driven impact measurement. In conclusion, it suggests transforming learning into a core municipal function by adopting simplified administrative solutions – such as subsidiarity pacts – and strengthening cooperation with the private sector to ensure the sustainability and resilience of local policies. The study concludes by proposing the implementation of management and quality control systems for local lifelong learning policies.

 

La governance delle Learning Cities in Italia. Il Rapporto di Valutazione.

Questo rapporto valuta l’esperienza delle Unesco Learning Cities italiane, focalizzandosi sui processi di governance e sulle strategie di lifelong learning. Attraverso interviste dialogiche con i rappresentanti di learning cities italiane, lo studio identifica sia il valore aggiunto che gli ostacoli strutturali più significativi. Il documento sottolinea la necessità di passare da una narrazione di buone pratiche a una misurazione dell’impatto basata sui dati. In conclusione, si suggerisce di trasformare l’apprendimento in una funzione municipale fondamentale, adottando soluzioni amministrative semplificate, come i patti di sussidiarietà, e rafforzando la cooperazione con il settore privato e con le imprese per garantire la sostenibilità e la resilienza delle politiche locali del lifelong learning. Il rapporto si conclude con la proposta di adottare sistemi di gestione controllo della qualità delle politiche locali del lifelong learning.