The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to putting sustainable development at the heart of all it does. In May 2009, the Assembly launched its latest scheme, "One Wales: One Planet," which sets out a clear definition of sustainable development as enhancing the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of people and communities,…

This article discusses the Women Making a Difference programme that has provided hundreds of women in Wales the skills they need to become decision-makers in their communities. The project is all about tapping into women's desire to make a difference in their communities, and getting women who, in most cases, are already active at grassroots level…

In 2007, the Workers' Educational Association's (WEA) Yorkshire and Humber region was funded by the Academy for Community Leadership to deliver a programme of active citizenship learning in South Yorkshire. The programme was expected to: equip potential and existing community leaders with the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to address…

For many world faiths, the ongoing development and formation of each person is foundational. Faith communities do not always use the same language as professional educationalists, but the parallels are very clear. Although not always thought of as "education", one approach used in some churches to encourage growth is known as…

In this article, the author reports on how a state-of-the-art learning centre based in an old storeroom at First Bus's Orpington depot came into being with support from the Transport and General Workers Union, the European Social Fund, the Learning and Skills Council, and eventually from First Group. The author also describes how it has…

In this article, the author reports on a unique project which is helping members of gypsy and traveller communities to pass their driving theory test, and, in the process, to improve their literacy skills. The Sheffield Gypsy Traveller Support Group is a centre offering a wide range of specialist services to gypsies and travellers, from welfare…

This article focuses on the nature of "family learning" programmes in marginalised communities. Such programmes present a series of radical challenges (in the sense of getting to the root of things) to policy makers and professionals alike: about, for instance, the kinds of "learning" on offer and the neglect, perhaps…