Waterford was designated as a UNESCO ‘Learning City’ in 2025, joining a number of cities from all over the world for demonstrating exceptional progress in promoting quality Lifelong Learning opportunities for all.
The designation was awarded following the partnership formed by South East Technological University, Waterford City & County Council, Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) and supporting partners Buíon Phort Láirge, Kilkenny County Council, Waterford Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Regional Assembly.
SETU is proud to play a central role in establishing Waterford as a UNESCO Learning City. This initiative represents a transformative opportunity to strengthen educational access, foster innovation, and build a thriving, inclusive learning community across Waterford and the wider region.
Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU
Waterford’s application to become a UNESCO Learning City was a ‘Call To Action’ because Lifelong Learning participation in the south east of Ireland was the lowest in the country and below European averages according to the Central Statistics Office and Solas in 2023.
Through the strength of this partnership and a shared commitment to collaboration, Waterford will continue to foster a strong culture of Lifelong Learning across the city and county. By aligning the vision, resources and action, the initiative positions Waterford at the heart of a growing ‘Learning Region’ for the south east – where education, community, enterprise and public services work together to create inclusive opportunities and sustainable regional development.
The overarching aim of Waterford as a Learning City is to create a continued culture where the people of Waterford feel confident to try something new at any stage of life and to make learning accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for everyone in Waterford
This people-centred, learning-focus approach will not only consolidate Waterford as a learning city, but it will also lessen the inequalities within disadvantaged and marginalised communities across the region
Cllr. Seamus Ryan, Mayor of Waterford City and County
Dr Helen Murphy Head of Faculty, Lifelong Learning and Education SETU was one of the key drivers of the initiative, as is the now co-chair of the Waterford UNESCO Learning City along with Liam Quinn, CEO of Buíon Phort Láirge.
The initiative led to the appointment of Learning Manager, Laura Power, based in the Department of Lifelong Learning in SETU, to act as the focal point for the project.
In early 2026, Waterford Learning City began a pilot of the first ‘Learning Neighbourhood’ – The Parish, in the Larchville/Lisduggan area of Waterford, which is in close proximity to SETU. This exciting pilot will bring community stakeholders together to increase learning and opportunities in ‘The Parish’ and brings the aims of the UNESCO project to life in a local neighbourhood.
Waterford is now a part of a global network of UNESCO Learning Cities and this provides a unique opportunity to engage and learn from other locations across the world. They join the Irish Network of Learning Cities – including Limerick, Cork, Belfast, Dublin, the North West and Midlands Region. These networks support knowledge sharing, peer-to-peer learning, and the development of sustained collaborative opportunities at local, regional and national levels.
Already in 2026, Waterford Learning City hosted these partners in a ‘Shared Island’ exchange visit to Waterford. The group visited ‘The Parish’ UNESCO Learning Neighbourhood and had peer-to-peer learning sessions. Additionally, Waterford is hosting the first ever Lifelong Learning Festival in the city in April 2026 to celebrate and amplify Lifelong Learning opportunities.
Lifelong Learning Festival – Waterford Learning City
