Aberdeenshire Council’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) team were successful in securing an Education Exchange grant from the Scottish Government - Scottish Education Exchange Test and Learn (Year 3). This is the first time this grant has been available to CLD, as it was previously only offered to schools, universities, and colleges.

Six staff members from across the CLD service travelled to Kenya in February 2026 to take part in the Aberdeenshire Literacies Learning Exchange in partnership with Inspire Nyeri, Kenya.

The Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Learning Exchange has built an international partnership between Aberdeenshire Council’s Community Learning and Development Service and Inspire Nyeri, a community-based literacies organisation in Kenya. Through virtual collaboration and an exchange visit to Kenya, the project has enabled staff to learn from innovative, community led literacy approaches used in Nyeri. Insights from the exchange visit have informed the co-development of inclusive, sustainable and outcome focused literacies models for use in Aberdeenshire. The project has strengthened professional learning, enhanced local literacies provision and reduced stigma around literacies learning.

Literacy is a foundational skill that improves life chances, employability, and access to services for children and families in both Kenya and Scotland. Throughout the exchange, the team were able to experience local culture first‑hand, explore traditions, and reflect on the similarities and differences in how communities approach literacy learning. Rich discussions around government policy, community history, and the role of literacy in everyday life created a meaningful learning experience for everyone involved. The opportunity to share perspectives with experienced colleagues in Nyeri was both inspiring and enlightening, strengthening relationships and deepening understanding on both sides.

This page forms part of the legacy of the exchange visit. Feel free to explore the wide range of photos, reflections, stories and learning resources we hold. We would suggest the starting point is the exchange documentary and photo gallery, which you'll find below.