UNESCO Learning City Awardee 2024Bouaké, Cote d'Ivoire
Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire’s second-largest city, has embraced lifelong learning as a transformative force for its community.
By integrating education into its policies and fostering strong partnerships at national and international levels, Bouaké has positioned itself as a hub of innovation and opportunity.
With initiatives that empower women, equip youth with sustainable skills, and promote green urban development, the city showcases the power of collective action in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
By integrating education into its policies and fostering strong partnerships at national and international levels, Bouaké has positioned itself as a hub of innovation and opportunity.
With initiatives that empower women, equip youth with sustainable skills, and promote green urban development, the city showcases the power of collective action in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
A city at the forefront of lifelong learning
Through strategic collaborations across and beyond the city, Bouaké’s lifelong learning framework emphasizes inclusivity, sustainability, and participatory governance. Its programmes are deeply rooted in addressing local needs, including reducing inequality, creating economic opportunities, and combatting environmental challenges.
The UNESCO learning city of Bouaké demonstrates how education can drive social, economic and environmental progress.
The UNESCO learning city of Bouaké demonstrates how education can drive social, economic and environmental progress.
Amadou KoneMayor of Bouaké
“The initiatives undertaken by Bouaké open up promising prospects for the promotion of education and international cooperation. Investment in projects such as Bouaké Ville Durable (Sustainable City) creates a solid foundation for the inclusive development of the community.
International partnerships offer opportunities for exchange and mutual growth, positioning Bouaké as a regional and international leader in promoting education for climate action.”
International partnerships offer opportunities for exchange and mutual growth, positioning Bouaké as a regional and international leader in promoting education for climate action.”
Empowering women through economic independence
One of Bouaké’s standout initiatives is its women’s empowerment programme, which provides women with the resources and training they need to thrive.
A dedicated support fund housed in a microfinance institution has enabled more than 450 women to secure loans. These loans have allowed women to start or expand income-generating activities, fostering their economic independence and social autonomy.
By targeting women from marginalized groups, this programme ensures equitable access to learning and development opportunities. Beyond financial support, the initiative integrates education and professional training, equipping women with skills to succeed in their chosen fields.
These efforts have created local employment opportunities while simultaneously addressing gender disparities in economic participation, making it a cornerstone of Bouaké’s vision for inclusive growth.
A dedicated support fund housed in a microfinance institution has enabled more than 450 women to secure loans. These loans have allowed women to start or expand income-generating activities, fostering their economic independence and social autonomy.
By targeting women from marginalized groups, this programme ensures equitable access to learning and development opportunities. Beyond financial support, the initiative integrates education and professional training, equipping women with skills to succeed in their chosen fields.
These efforts have created local employment opportunities while simultaneously addressing gender disparities in economic participation, making it a cornerstone of Bouaké’s vision for inclusive growth.
The Réseau de Promotion de l’Économie Verte: Building a green economy
To combat environmental challenges and promote sustainable development, Bouaké established the Réseau de Promotion de l’Économie Verte (R-PEV, The Green Economy Promotion Network in English). This network plays a pivotal role in equipping young people with the skills needed for green economy jobs, thus fostering economic and social sustainability.
Through R-PEV, 500 young people have been trained in urban agroecology and circular economy professions. The program has also supported businesses and households in reducing their carbon footprint, with 17,000 households and 10 companies committing to sustainable practices.
Additionally, members of R-PEV receive grants of €17,000 each to further green initiatives, helping to build a resilient economy while raising awareness about eco-friendly practices across the city.
Through R-PEV, 500 young people have been trained in urban agroecology and circular economy professions. The program has also supported businesses and households in reducing their carbon footprint, with 17,000 households and 10 companies committing to sustainable practices.
Additionally, members of R-PEV receive grants of €17,000 each to further green initiatives, helping to build a resilient economy while raising awareness about eco-friendly practices across the city.
Bouaké Ville Durable: A comprehensive approach to urban sustainability
The Bouaké Ville Durable (Sustainable City) project, co-financed by the European Union, underscores the city’s dedication to fostering sustainable urban development while prioritizing education and inclusion. Beneficiaries from diverse ethnic backgrounds and education levels are offered equal opportunities to access free learning programmes designed to enhance their skills and economic prospects.
One of the project’s key achievements is the integration of climate education into urban planning, demonstrated through the renovation of five public infrastructures using eco-housing principles. The initiative has empowered 600 young people—40% of them women—with training and professional pathways in green and circular economy sectors. By embedding participatory governance, the project provides €160,000 annually to neighbourhood committees to implement locally driven action plans, reinforcing sustainability education and community engagement.
One of the project’s key achievements is the integration of climate education into urban planning, demonstrated through the renovation of five public infrastructures using eco-housing principles. The initiative has empowered 600 young people—40% of them women—with training and professional pathways in green and circular economy sectors. By embedding participatory governance, the project provides €160,000 annually to neighbourhood committees to implement locally driven action plans, reinforcing sustainability education and community engagement.
Making learning accessible to everyone
Bouaké’s dedication to fostering a culture of learning is evident in its regular training and awareness-raising workshops. These events, organized throughout the city, attract participants from diverse backgrounds and focus on subjects like digital skills, entrepreneurship, and environmental preservation.
In 2023 alone, eight workshops were held, drawing nearly 1,000 participants eager to expand their knowledge and skills.
By offering interactive sessions, conferences, and hands-on training, these workshops inspire curiosity and empower individuals to take an active role in their community’s development.
Such initiatives ensure that lifelong learning remains accessible to all, including vulnerable groups.
In 2023 alone, eight workshops were held, drawing nearly 1,000 participants eager to expand their knowledge and skills.
By offering interactive sessions, conferences, and hands-on training, these workshops inspire curiosity and empower individuals to take an active role in their community’s development.
Such initiatives ensure that lifelong learning remains accessible to all, including vulnerable groups.
Networking for knowledge sharing
As a founding member of the Alliance of National Commissions for UNESCO and African Learning Cities, Bouaké actively engages in knowledge-sharing and mentorship. The city has signed agreements with learning cities like Ifrane, Morocco, focusing on projects promoting literacy and women’s empowerment.
Bouaké also collaborates with national and regional partners, including the Université Alassane Ouattara de Bouaké and the Moroccan National Commission for UNESCO. These partnerships facilitate the exchange of best practices and resources, enabling Bouaké to guide other cities in promoting lifelong learning and achieving shared goals.
Bouaké also collaborates with national and regional partners, including the Université Alassane Ouattara de Bouaké and the Moroccan National Commission for UNESCO. These partnerships facilitate the exchange of best practices and resources, enabling Bouaké to guide other cities in promoting lifelong learning and achieving shared goals.
A vision for lifelong learning
Bouaké’s commitment to lifelong learning extends into a bold vision for the future. Key priorities include integrating youth into green and circular economies, and strengthening capacity-building for urban market gardeners in agroecology. The city also aims to provide educational support to 500 disadvantaged students annually, ensuring that no child is left behind.
Through participatory governance and innovative programmes, Bouaké exemplifies the transformative power of education. Its achievements in empowering women, fostering sustainable practices, and promoting inclusivity have earned it a well-deserved place among the 2024 UNESCO learning city awardees.
Bouaké’s journey serves as an inspiring model for cities worldwide, demonstrating how lifelong learning can create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
Through participatory governance and innovative programmes, Bouaké exemplifies the transformative power of education. Its achievements in empowering women, fostering sustainable practices, and promoting inclusivity have earned it a well-deserved place among the 2024 UNESCO learning city awardees.
Bouaké’s journey serves as an inspiring model for cities worldwide, demonstrating how lifelong learning can create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
The UNESCO Learning City Awards
The UNESCO Learning City Award was established to further promote lifelong learning for all and showcase good practices in building learning cities. It is conferred on cities that have achieved outstanding progress in this regard. All awardee cities have demonstrated best practices that lay the foundation for sustainable development.
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) supports and improves the practice of lifelong learning in member cities by promoting policy dialogue and peer learning, documenting effective strategies and good practice, fostering partnerships, providing capacity development, and developing tools and instruments to design, implement and monitor learning cities strategies.
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
© Vystekimages / Shutterstock.com; City of Bouaké; Fabian Plock / Shutterstock.com; Vystekimages / Shutterstock.com; Senderistas / Shutterstock.com; Getty Images Pro / Stock Good
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
© Vystekimages / Shutterstock.com; City of Bouaké; Fabian Plock / Shutterstock.com; Vystekimages / Shutterstock.com; Senderistas / Shutterstock.com; Getty Images Pro / Stock Good
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Bouaké, Cote d'Ivoire
A city at the forefront of lifelong learning
Amadou Kone
Empowering women through economic independence
The Réseau de Promotion de l’Économie Verte: Building a green economy
Bouaké Ville Durable: A comprehensive approach to urban sustainability
Making learning accessible to everyone
Networking for knowledge sharing
A vision for lifelong learning
The UNESCO Learning City Awards
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities