Derry City and Strabane District Council joined UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities in July 2019 as the Derry City and Strabane Region. The council has now expanded this initiative with partners to create the North West Learning City Region.

Partners include the North West Tertiary Education Cluster, Derry City and Strabane District Council, and Donegal County Council. The relaunched initiative covers areas across Derry~Londonderry, Strabane, and Donegal.

A Lifelong Learning Festival marks the expansion. The event runs on 4-5 March 2026 and features more than 40 free events.

Festival activities cover arts and culture, digital skills, business innovation, health and wellbeing, heritage and language, sustainability, and family learning.