UNESCO Learning City Awardee 2024Cuenca, Ecuador
Since joining the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in 2017, Cuenca, Ecuador, has embraced an ambitious path toward inclusive and sustainable learning for all.
Through participatory processes, the city has transformed its public policies, focusing on strengthening access to information and empowering local communities through lifelong learning.
Through participatory processes, the city has transformed its public policies, focusing on strengthening access to information and empowering local communities through lifelong learning.
Cristian Eduardo Zamora Matute Mayor
Cuenca: A hub for lifelong learning and cultural preservation
The city’s goals as a learning city align closely with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to foster easy access to information and education, promote sustainability, and position Cuenca as an exemplary model within Ecuador and beyond. Through efforts in lifelong learning, vocational training, and community education, Cuenca has made significant strides toward collective empowerment and inclusive growth.
With ongoing collaborations in Ecuador and abroad, Cuenca is laying the groundwork to address critical issues such as digital literacy, environmental conservation, and gender equity. Its commitment to advancing both social and economic well-being is reflected in its initiatives toward zero illiteracy, reduced environmental impact, and a more sustainable future.
Learning in Cuenca truly transforms lives.
With ongoing collaborations in Ecuador and abroad, Cuenca is laying the groundwork to address critical issues such as digital literacy, environmental conservation, and gender equity. Its commitment to advancing both social and economic well-being is reflected in its initiatives toward zero illiteracy, reduced environmental impact, and a more sustainable future.
Learning in Cuenca truly transforms lives.
Ángel GuiracochaLearner in Cuenca
Prioritizing inclusion from the start
Cuenca has made significant strides in supporting its vulnerable populations, particularly through early childhood education initiatives. The Municipal Initial Education Centres were established to care for children from economically disadvantaged families, including single parents, migrant families, and those working in market spaces.
This inclusive programme offers structured early education for children aged 1 to 4 years and 11 months, providing stability and quality care for families who face challenges such as affective distance, family disorganization, and insecurity. Aligned with the Ministry of Education's curriculum, the centres not only support early childhood development but also enhance community cohesion by creating a safe space for young children to thrive.
The initiative has already benefited hundreds of children, improving their quality of life and empowering parents with the security of knowing their children are in a nurturing environment.
This inclusive programme offers structured early education for children aged 1 to 4 years and 11 months, providing stability and quality care for families who face challenges such as affective distance, family disorganization, and insecurity. Aligned with the Ministry of Education's curriculum, the centres not only support early childhood development but also enhance community cohesion by creating a safe space for young children to thrive.
The initiative has already benefited hundreds of children, improving their quality of life and empowering parents with the security of knowing their children are in a nurturing environment.
Celebrating and empowering through culinary heritage
Cuenca leverages its rich culinary traditions to create economic opportunities and preserve cultural heritage. Cuenca embraces its role as a centre of gastronomic excellence, offering culinary education and professionalization programmes for residents.
Among these programmes, the Master Class of Sweets stands out, teaching the art of making traditional corpus sweets—a hallmark of Cuenca’s Corpus Christi festival. Through these workshops, Cuenca supports adults, particularly women and older adults, in building culinary skills that can lead to new entrepreneurship opportunities.
This culinary initiative contributes to Cuenca’s social and economic development by empowering individuals to engage in sustainable, tradition-based entrepreneurship. Not only do these culinary programmes celebrate Cuenca’s heritage, but they also provide avenues for residents to connect with the local economy and promote sustainable practices within gastronomy.
Among these programmes, the Master Class of Sweets stands out, teaching the art of making traditional corpus sweets—a hallmark of Cuenca’s Corpus Christi festival. Through these workshops, Cuenca supports adults, particularly women and older adults, in building culinary skills that can lead to new entrepreneurship opportunities.
This culinary initiative contributes to Cuenca’s social and economic development by empowering individuals to engage in sustainable, tradition-based entrepreneurship. Not only do these culinary programmes celebrate Cuenca’s heritage, but they also provide avenues for residents to connect with the local economy and promote sustainable practices within gastronomy.
Promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable development Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Project
Cuenca has prioritized environmental stewardship as a core component of its sustainable development strategy, actively engaging residents in waste management and environmental care.
Through its Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Project, Cuenca has implemented a citywide initiative focused on reducing, reusing, and recycling materials.
This project promotes waste separation at the source and has established efficient collection and processing systems for organic and inorganic waste, helping reduce the volume of landfill waste.
The programme serves as a model for sustainable urban waste practices, demonstrating Cuenca’s commitment to environmental responsibility and climate action.
Through its Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Project, Cuenca has implemented a citywide initiative focused on reducing, reusing, and recycling materials.
This project promotes waste separation at the source and has established efficient collection and processing systems for organic and inorganic waste, helping reduce the volume of landfill waste.
The programme serves as a model for sustainable urban waste practices, demonstrating Cuenca’s commitment to environmental responsibility and climate action.
Promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable development Lovingly Caring for My Environment initiative
Another key element of Cuenca’s approach to sustainability is the Lovingly Caring for My Environment initiative, which integrates environmental education into the early learning experiences of young children in the city’s 12 early childhood centres.
This initiative encourages children to plant trees, cultivate teaching gardens, and learn about recycling, fostering a deep-rooted appreciation for nature and sustainability from an early age.
By instilling these values in the next generation, Cuenca is ensuring that environmental consciousness becomes a lifelong habit, supporting a greener and more sustainable future for the entire community.
This initiative encourages children to plant trees, cultivate teaching gardens, and learn about recycling, fostering a deep-rooted appreciation for nature and sustainability from an early age.
By instilling these values in the next generation, Cuenca is ensuring that environmental consciousness becomes a lifelong habit, supporting a greener and more sustainable future for the entire community.
Emily Riera ÁlvarezEducator in Cuenca
Connecting with the UNESCO learning city network and fostering regional collaboration
Cuenca has emerged as an active participant in national and international networks that promote learning, sustainable development, and cultural exchange.
Through its membership in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities and further international and regional networks, Cuenca has hosted and participated in multiple high-profile events that showcase its progress in sustainable urban development.
These networks not only elevate Cuenca’s profile but also enable the city to share best practices, access resources, and drive innovation that benefits both local residents and the broader region.
Through its membership in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities and further international and regional networks, Cuenca has hosted and participated in multiple high-profile events that showcase its progress in sustainable urban development.
These networks not only elevate Cuenca’s profile but also enable the city to share best practices, access resources, and drive innovation that benefits both local residents and the broader region.
Cuenca’s path to a resilient and inclusive future
Cuenca’s dedication to becoming a city of learning, sustainability, and inclusivity is evident in the far-reaching impact of its many programmes and initiatives. Since joining the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, Cuenca has continually transformed its public policies to support access to education, citizen participation, and lifelong learning.
Cuenca’s social and environmental initiatives highlight its commitment to inclusivity and sustainable development. From empowering vulnerable families through the early childhood education centres to supporting local culinary entrepreneurs and promoting eco-conscious behaviours in children, the city has shown that sustainability is integral to every aspect of community life.
Cuenca exemplifies how a city can unite its residents under shared goals of progress, resilience, and innovation, creating a blueprint for an inclusive, knowledge-based society that balances heritage preservation with sustainable growth.
In this spirit, Cuenca serves as an inspiration for cities everywhere to pursue transformative, community-centred change.
Cuenca’s social and environmental initiatives highlight its commitment to inclusivity and sustainable development. From empowering vulnerable families through the early childhood education centres to supporting local culinary entrepreneurs and promoting eco-conscious behaviours in children, the city has shown that sustainability is integral to every aspect of community life.
Cuenca exemplifies how a city can unite its residents under shared goals of progress, resilience, and innovation, creating a blueprint for an inclusive, knowledge-based society that balances heritage preservation with sustainable growth.
In this spirit, Cuenca serves as an inspiration for cities everywhere to pursue transformative, community-centred change.
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
© Municipality of Cuenca; Ireneuke / Shutterstock.com; maroke / Shutterstock.com; ALL TEXTURES / Shutterstock.com; RAWMOSph; Getty Images Pro / Stock Good
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
© Municipality of Cuenca; Ireneuke / Shutterstock.com; maroke / Shutterstock.com; ALL TEXTURES / Shutterstock.com; RAWMOSph; Getty Images Pro / Stock Good
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Cuenca, Ecuador
Cuenca: A hub for lifelong learning and cultural preservation
Ángel Guiracocha
Prioritizing inclusion from the start
Celebrating and empowering through culinary heritage
Promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable development
Promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable development
Emily Riera Álvarez
Connecting with the UNESCO learning city network and fostering regional collaboration
Cuenca’s path to a resilient and inclusive future
The UNESCO Learning City Awards
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities