The city of Larissa, capital of the Thessaly region in central Greece, stands as one of Europe’s most active examples of a Learning City. With a population of around 162,000 residents, Larissa has become a vibrant hub of lifelong learning, civic participation, and social innovation. Since 2016, when it joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities with the Hellenic Adult Education Association (HAEA) as Scientific Advisor, and until the end of 2023, the municipality implemented systematically a programme that promoted inclusive learning opportunities for all citizens — from children and young people to adults and older learners. The programme was implemented under the guidance of the Mayor, A. Kalogianis. Since 2024, the new municipalities’ authorities followed a different direction regarding the goals and practices of the Learning City.
A Vision for a Learning Society
Larissa’s vision was clear: to nurture a culture of lifelong learning as a driver of personal development, social cohesion, and sustainable growth. The city’s learning strategy aimed to connect educational opportunities with local labour market needs, ensuring that learning contributes directly to employability and community well-being. At the same time, the municipality integrated inclusion, equity, health, and sustainability into all its initiatives, seeing learning not just as education, but as a way of life.
Structures that Bring Learning to Life
At the heart of Larissa’s learning ecosystem lied the Citizens’ University, a municipal platform offering a diverse range of educational activities. Through courses such as Education through Arts, Parents’ School, and Digital Learning for Older People, the Citizens’ University fostered participation, creativity, and intergenerational learning.
The city also promoted youth engagement through the Youth Council, giving young people a voice in decision-making and strengthening local democracy. Moreover, the Open Schools initiative transformed school buildings into community learning spaces, enabling citizens to design and implement projects that respond to local needs.
From Digital Inclusion to Social Empowerment
Larissa’s commitment to learning was also reflected in its wide network of training and adult education programmes. The city collaborated with educational institutions and NGOs to offer courses for adult educators, socially vulnerable groups, and older adults. A particularly successful initiative was the digital inclusion programme for older people, where volunteers helped older citizens acquire essential digital skills — bridging both technological and social divides.
In addition, the municipality provided free educational and support services for vulnerable groups: tutoring for disadvantaged students, initiatives for the homeless, services for people with disabilities, and community-based activities promoting intercultural dialogue.
Collaboration and Innovation
The success of Larissa’s learning strategy lied in its strong partnerships with 102 organisations. The municipality worked closely with universities, civil society organizations, cultural institutions, and citizens themselves. This collaborative approach has positioned Larissa as a model of participatory governance in the field of adult and community education.
Recognition and Impact
Larissa’s achievements have received international recognition. In 2017, the city was honored by UNESCO for its exemplary work in building a learning culture. Its flagship initiatives, such as the School for Parents (reaching around 400 parents annually) and the Summer Camp in the City (serving 2,500 children each summer), have become best practices within European learning networks. In 2020 Larissa was awarded by the European Association for the Education of Adults.
Beyond formal programmes, Larissa’s municipal library, cultural events, and neighborhood learning centres contributed to a vibrant local learning environment — one that celebrated curiosity, creativity, and community engagement.
A Model for Europe
In a rapidly changing world, Larissa demonstrated how a mid-sized European city can make lifelong learning a practical and inspiring reality. By connecting learning with work, citizenship, and inclusion, Larissa has become not only a “Learning City” — but also a learning community, shaping a more sustainable and participatory future for its citizens.
