The European adult learning and education (ALE) community, including adult learners, educators and leaders, are ready to provide any necessary help to everyone fleeing the war.
01.04.2022

European adult learning community is ready to support refugees from Ukraine in their learning pathways

Counting on the long-standing experience of adult education actors in welcoming and empowering newcomers, EAEA reiterates the important role that non-formal adult learning and education can fulfil in supporting refugees. In our statement, we make several recommendations to policymakers for short-term, but also mid-term and long-term actions to support refugees in their learning pathways as well as to support adult learning structures in Ukraine for reconstruction and reconciliation.

Read and download the full statement here (pdf)

Europe is facing a huge humanitarian crisis. According to the official data of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, millions of refugees have already been forced to flee the war in Ukraine moving to neighbouring countries, while many people have been displaced internally within Ukraine. In the coming months, several million Ukrainian refugees will need protection and assistance in European countries.

The EU must welcome refugees from Ukraine, offering safety, protection and support. The European adult learning and education (ALE) community, including adult learners, educators and leaders, are ready to provide any necessary help to everyone fleeing the war. Counting on the long-standing experience of adult education actors in welcoming and empowering newcomers, EAEA reiterates the important role that non-formal ALE can fulfil in supporting refugees, in particular, to:

  • Foster solidarity and create bonds between refugees and the local communities;
  • Facilitate the integration of refugees in the host countries, also by strengthening their linguistic, cultural and life skills to help them navigate their new environment;
  • Allow refugees to continue their learning pathway, also by providing a bridge towards formal education and validating prior learning;
  • Enable parents and refugees with caregiving responsibilities to better support children, older adults, persons with disabilities and other people in a condition of vulnerability in the integration process.

For the recommendations to policymakers, please consult the statement through the link above.

Text: EAEA

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.