EAEA's reflections on the future of adult learning in Europe were published in a background paper in December 2019.
13.01.2020

After the EU elections: what will the future of adult learning look like?

The new European Parliament and the new European Commission have started their work on the new portfolios in the second half of 2019. The European Union will have to take a clear direction on issues such as sustainability, democracy, and demographic changes. An EAEA working group explored these issues. The results were published in a background paper in December 2019.

Before the EU elections in May 2019, we launched a campaign in which EAEA and its members asked MEP candidates of all political groups how they wanted to support and promote adult learning. Their answers were published on a dedicated website. Half a year later, the new Members of the European Parliament, as well as the new European Commission, have started their work on the new portfolios.

The European Parliament and the European Commission will have to negotiate the follow-up programmes of Europe 2020, including Education and Training 2020 (short: ET2020). Great Britain will (probably) leave the European Union at the end of January, while other countries are planning to join the EU. Europe faces a number of challenges, such as sustainability, democracy, digitisation and automation, and changing demographics. New European programmes and frameworks will have to take these challenges into consideration and find answers to them.

What does this mean for adult learning? An EAEA working group explored these issues. The results were published in a background paper in December 2019.

EAEA background paper on the future of adult learning in Europe (pdf)

 

Text: EAEAPhotos: EAEA

11.12.2025 adult educators

EAEA's celebratory event: 30 years of Adult Learning in Europe - from legacy to responsibility

On December 10, EAEA and GO! hosted the 30-year anniversary event of adult learning and education in Europe as part of the Lifelong Learning Week. The event brought together several high-level speakers. Their key message was that adult learning is a living, evolving field that must stay high on Europe’s agenda.

10.12.2025 country reports

EAEA Country Reports 2024/25 - adult education trends across Europe

EAEA Country Reports provide a civil society view on the latest developments in adult learning and education (ALE) across Europe.

09.12.2025 advocacy

Micro-credentials and non-formal short programmes as instruments of equity and access for adult learners with migrant background

How can we co-design accessible, inclusive and flexible learning pathways, also as micro-credential for non-formal education, to foster key competences for learners with migration background?