The Local Community College A learning opportunity for rural communities

Finding Drenthe

Amsterdam

Finding Drenthe Harlingen Amsterdam

Finding Drenthe Harlingen Drenthe Amsterdam

Finding Midden-Drenthe

Midden-Drenthe 340 km² / 131 square miles – population villages of < inhabitants 4 villages between and inhabitants Rural county (by Dutch standards)

The Dutch educational system Compulsory education: age 4 –16 No diploma? Also from 16 – 18 Then: Vocational education University Adult education (government policy) 18 years and older Second chance to obtain certificate or learn skills or profession

Local Community College (LCC) Midden-Drenthe Started with two villages as a pilot-project in 2005 The project participants: each participating village supplies a group of volunteers (e.g. LCC Hooghalen) City Council Midden-Drenthe Regional education centre “Drenthe College” Local social organisation “Welzijn Midden- Drenthe”

Local community college now 2011: participation of 17 villages 13 small (villages < inhabitants) 4 larger ones (villages – inhabitants) Future plans: Budget cuts (due to the credit crunch) Local Community College ‘plus’: LCC +

Our aim with the LCC is: To facilitate courses/workshops/lectures in the local community centres Courses to enable people to participate in the present society (subsidised) Courses which meet the demands/requests/ideas of the local community

LCC: how do we get there? Form a local group of enthusiastic volunteers Professional organisations facilitate and support the local LCC-group of volunteers Investigate the educational demands / questions through the network of the volunteers Make use of skills of people in the village

LCC: how do we get there? Make proper arrangements with the local community centre and other local facilities Find your ‘partners’ in local organisations (e.g. women’s institute or neighbouring villages) All 17 LCCs and the supporting professional organisations meet twice a year

LCC: how do we get there? Students pay a small amount per course Subsidised courses Non-subsided courses

LCC: how do we get there? Subsidised courses Budget available through the city council for the use of qualified teachers Budget 2010: € Average price per course € ca. 50 courses in 2010 (17 LCCs) e.g.: How to chair a meeting

LCC: how do we get there? Non-subsided courses local talent courses, each village 3 to 5 courses a year average e.g.: Wine tasting

Conditions for success Volunteers are in tune with the local situation The volunteers are in charge and proud of their LCC Support from the community development advisors Drenthe College (regional educational centre) supplies teachers when needed and helps to indicate the learning questions For the subsidised courses quick decision making to facilitate the course

Results in the villages The LCC is very accessible Target groups are easily met and dealt with People enjoy learning together Considerable increase in social cohesion

Threats More and more citizens have to fend for themselves due to government policy More volunteers are needed in the future Greater responsibilities for the LCC as finances are concerned In larger villages finding volunteers is a problem

Challenges for the near future To deal with a lower budget Be creative Improve the concept of demand orientated approach

Challenges for the near future To develop LCC+ Provide for all age groups (0 to 100) Budget for each LCC for all educational demands Expanding the concept of the LCC towards the whole of the province of Drenthe and more

Thank you for your attention! Questions?