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

23.03.2026 inclusion

From Inclusion to a Rights-based approach in Adult Learning and Education  

In adult learning and education, the language of “inclusion” is widely used. Yet an important question remains: have policies and practices truly moved beyond merely integrating specific groups in limited processes towards a deeper understanding of inclusion as a fundamental right for all learners? 

13.03.2026 EAEA members

EBSN and EAEA members shape new recommendations on adult learning

Earlier this year, members of the European Basic Skills Network and the European Association for the Education of Adults came together for a joint webinar to discuss adult learning challenges, following the OECD 2024 PIAAC report.

10.03.2026 adult educators

What does Quality Assurance mean in non-formal ALE?

For many educators and policymakers, ‘Quality Assurance’ is linked to strong bureaucratic processes and additional workload. In our view, we look  at Quality assurance as an organisational culture and a mindset, a mindful process of continuous improvements.