From factories to farms, we’re turning real places into live learning labs

In a world that’s changing fast, we make learning practical and public.

We research, design and deliver on-location programmes that help organisations and places build the skills and relationships a sustainable future demands.

Learning in practice – place-based, hands-on, collaborative – will underpin the learning revolution we need.

Your place has the power to:

  • Connect local communities around tangible action
  • Bring local businesses and supply chains together
  • Build skills for adaptation and resilience across teams and communities
  • Turn planning obligations into meaningful engagement and social value
  • Create momentum with local leaders and partners
  • Inspire further action

We’re part of an open learning movement:

  • Local government, community and advocacy groups are building connection, capacity and resilience and enriching their climate skills strategies.
  • Professional and business networks are strengthening their skills and local economies enhancing member value and place reputation.
  • Urban developers and place stewards are meeting their engagement and social-value commitments and activating assets for community benefit.

Partners and collaborators

This is a collaborative venture by Forth, a Community Interest Company with non‑profit roots and commercial rigour. For more than a decade we’ve helped public bodies, developers, networks and educators turn places into classrooms – so more people can connect with the ideas and skills they need in a changing world.

It’s been developed as part of LEVERS (Horizon Europe, 2023-2026). We’re one of a family of nine ‘learning ecosystems’ being created all across Europe.

What our partners think

What we learned outweighs what we shared!

– Ilaria Mezzogori, The Felix Project (First Hand learning event host)

Case studies

We’ve developed and delivered live learning events in heritage industrial sites and recycling plants, community infrastructure projects and surplus food hubs. Catch some of our stories from the field here.