Municipal partnerships and learning – Investigating a largely unexplored relationship

Abstract

Despite high expectations towards the relationship between municipal partnerships and learning, there is still a serious lack of research and conceptual clarity in this field. To talk about possible learning benefits has become a standard procedure, whereas the ‘real’ learning below the surface of these regularly perpetuated assumptions remains largely unnoticed. In order to contribute to a conceptualization of this largely unexplored relationship, municipal partnerships are described as a relevant context for individual learning. To further specify the field, the concept of informal learning is being introduced, offering new perspectives for research in individual learning within municipal partnerships. This will be complemented by a literature review of recent research that is of relevance in the field of (informal) learning and municipal partnerships. As a result of this review it is highly recommended to appreciate individual learning in municipal partnerships in order to foster the further development of the relationship between municipal partnerships and learning which despite broad support is all too often unduly disregarded.