08.01.2020

How does a life skills approach in adult learning benefit participation?

A new policy paper, published in December, concludes EAEA’s thematic work on life skills in 2019. It outlines the key principles of a life skills approach and its potential for increasing participation levels, and offers a set of recommendations.

Life skills are building blocks of independence and self-efficacy. They are combinations of different capabilities that enable adults to become lifelong learners and to solve problems in order to live an independent life and participate in society. EAEA strongly believes that a life skills approach in adult learning can benefit individuals, organisations and communities.

Recognizing the existing gaps and the potential of the Life Skills approach in addressing the societal and environmental challenges, EAEA has dedicated its attention in 2019 to exploring how such an approach can be taken up at different levels. Throughout the year, EAEA has collected innovative practices that foster life skills and awarded the best initiatives with the Grundtvig Award, carried out desk research and conducted study visits with a thematic focus on life skills.

The resulting paper analyses the three key principles of a life skills approach – a holistic perspective, learner-centredness and flexibility – and discusses how they could benefit participation levels in Europe. Illustrated with case studies and backed by recent studies, such as the findings of the GRALE IV, also published last December, the paper brings forward a set of recommendations targeting both providers and policy-makers on how to introduce life skills provision or implement elements of a life skills approach in adult learning to the benefit of learners and societies.

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Text: EAEAPhotos: Atstock Productions

15.05.2025 digital literacy

Artificial Intelligence and education: Ethics and legal Aspects 

From Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools that personalise learning to systems that automate administrative tasks, digital technologies are becoming deeply embedded in classrooms, universities, and lifelong learning environments. But alongside the benefits come complex questions about transparency, fairness, and the rights of learners. 

07.05.2025 twin transition

Building agency of adult educators in advocating for the Twin Transition: ALE4TT Training

From May 5–7, 2025, EAEA, in cooperation with SVEB and ICAE, organised a training titled “Making the Case for Adult Learning and Twin Transitions: From the EU to Local Perspectives.” The training was held as part of the ALE4TT (Adult Learning and Education for the Twin Transition) project, co-funded by Movetia. Over three days, the training brought together 15 ALE educators eager to learn more about the twin transition and how to advocate for it.

29.04.2025 skills

EAEA strengthens its commitment to skilling and upskilling initiatives by joining the Pact for Skills

The European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) is pleased to announce that we have officially joined the European Commission’s Pact for Skills initiative.