As already mentioned in topic 5 each country tries to improve the quality of the Learning Regions’ network but in a different way depending on political ideas of Learning Regions, on social and economical problems and – of course – on the way the Regions are financed.

An invitation to take part in the project in Scotland received a positive response from members of the partnerships. Meetings with network partners have taken place with representatives from both the Dundee Partnership and the CBAL partnership and discussions are ongoing in relation to their involvement in the project.

One of the key value adding process that R3L+ can contribute to Lundaland (Sweden) would be a systematic investigation and implementation of instruments that can make Lundaland a true learning organization learning from mistakes made but also learning why the mistakes were made, for instance when it comes to the quality of micro-project proposals, how the accepted projects were performed and outcomes from such projects. Tools and instruments for monitoring and analysis of the micro-projects would make it possible to formulate best-practice routines for a typical Leader area, such as Lundaland, to not only create local welfare over a period of time, but also create a lifelong learning culture in the region where “spontaneous” micro-project can be foreseen with other management structures and financial frames than those set up for a Leader area project.

Initial contacts with steering group in Ireland have established that connection with the R3L+ project is seen as both beneficial and timely. Beneficial to the extent that a process to define approach to quality assurance would help to focus steering groups members, as well as wider stakeholders, on core objectives of the strategy. Also acknowledged is the potential to contribute to a more formal organisation and management of the strategy. Developing an implementing a system of quality assurance could therefore provide the steering group with a useful mechanism through which progress can be acknowledged, challenges identified and the need for new approaches or actions highlighted. Timely to the extent that this process (of clarification and focus on quality) can help now with the challenge of instituting more formal structures and processes governing the City of Learning Strategy.

In Romania two ways of adoption of intended quality framework could be implemented: (1) by a policy learning strategy, focused on developing a training curriculum and creating learning experiences for the members of the network. In this case the highest challenge is to adapt the product of the R3L+ project to the needs of the network. (2) By a transfer of experience strategy, focused on exposing the members of the network to the experience of similar networks that have the experience of using a similar framework. In this case the highest challenge is related to the identification of networks and learning region good practices in using specific quality tools.

The added value of R3L+ in Hungary is thought to be the direct impact on strengthening networking planning, management, decision-making amongst the partners of the Forum with some quality tools referring to CQAF.