Core curriculum

In order to support the key local activities required for the cities to develop their Local Action Plan, we have developed a core curriculum. It is informed by learning areas we identified in the Baseline Study.

This curriculum introduces specific learning areas over the course of the project, so that cities can directly use the learning in their activities. Each learning area is described by the question cities are aiming to answer.

The core curriculum will introduce some of the most commonly used methodologies in digital development and innovation that answer these questions like Design Thinking, Lean Impact and Agile methods.

However, the network will focus on the key messages within these methods, and encourage cities to consider the elements and approaches that are most suitable to their context, rather than being dogmatic about a particular methodology.

The core curriculum also includes Local Action Groups and Financing models, which will be critical to the progress of all cities.

The learning areas identified in Phase 1 fall across four broad subject areas:
• Digital & technology
• Data
• Participation & partnerships
• Innovation & service design

In each case we will explore the mindsets behind the methodology, what sort of environment is needed to enable these approaches to flourish, and interrogate how it might be adapted to individual cities needs.