The European Commission invites everyone to have their say on the Digital Education Action Plan.
27.08.2020

Support adult education in the Digital Education Action Plan!

The European Commission invites all citizens, institutions and organisations from the public and private sectors to participate in the public consultation on the Digital Education Action Plan until 4 September 2020.

Download EAEA’s response to the consultation.

The coronavirus crisis and the related switch to distance and online learning, have strongly shaped the visions and expectations for the future of digital education in Europe. A European framework for digital education must not forget about non-formal adult learning and education. A holistic vision of digital transformation is, in EAEA’s point of view, necessary to provide an empowering critical digital education that “adequately prepares citizens for an increasingly interconnected and globalised future.”

EAEA urges the Commission in their renewal of the Digital Education Action Plan

  • to include non-formal and informal adult learning, and especially the promotion of basic digital skills, through these learning opportunities;
  • to include lifelong learning as an aim beyond employability;
  • to heighten the emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity and include actions for the most socially and digitally excluded, particularly considering vulnerable populations, older learners, persons with disabilities, migrants, persons living alone, prisoners among others;
  • to complement online learning opportunities with offline guidance;
  • to provide more structural and financial support for non-formal ALE, investing in adequate technological infrastructure, capacity building, upskilling and professionalization for trainers and appropriate socio-civic methods to meet the needs of Europe’s digital transformation.

Text: EAEAPhotos: European Commission

01.04.2025 financing

EAEA stands strong against cuts in ALE funding  

On March 31 2025, EAEA joined NGOs in Brussels in the nation-wide strike against planned government austerity measures. The peaceful demonstration was in solidarity with the national strike organised against the measures proposed by the new Belgian government.  

28.03.2025 digital literacy

Improving education environments in detention and care institutions

Since the end of 2024, EAEA has been a partner in the DigiFusE project. DigiFusE supports the development of digital readiness and resilience in controlled learning environments, such as closed detention and care institutions, to improve their educational environment.

27.03.2025 Democracy

A Union of Skills that puts the needs and ambitions of adult learners at the centre

The new European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, proposes a Union of Skills as part of its ambitious 100-day plan. The European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) represents the European non-formal adult learning and education sector with thousands of providers and millions of learners. We welcome this initiative but stress that skills must be understood holistically - supporting individuals, communities, and society, not just the labour market.