13.09.2022

Erasmus+: Improvements for ALE, but further efforts still needed

During the summer, the European Commission collected feedback for its Erasmus+ 2021-2027 interim evaluation and Erasmus+ 2014-2020 final evaluation. EAEA prepared a response, bringing together feedback from the EAEA members to the previous and current Erasmus+ programmes.

Read EAEA’s feedback to the consultation of the European Commission here.

The European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) sees improvements between the Erasmus+ programmes from 2014 to 2020, and from 2021 to 2027, especially in the areas of funding for adult learning and education (ALE), and the inclusion of adult learners in Erasmus+ KA1 learner mobility.

Besides upskilling for the labour market and learning for employability, ALE is immensely important learning for active citizenship, sustainability, social inclusion, creativity, critical thinking, and much more. ALE conveys values and is transformational – for everyone, regardless of the target group. However, participation in ALE is still low at 10.8 per cent of the adult population. Innovation and sharing of good practices, policy experimentation as well as new networks and partnerships for ALE, therefore, play a key role.

We recommend to

  • Increase the funding for ALE in Erasmus+ to increase the participation of adults in lifelong learning;
  • Make third countries, including from Regions 1 and 2, eligible for participation in actions on ALE;
  • Put life skills and values for transformative learning at the centre of Erasmus+ calls in the adult education sector;
  • Introduce Adult Learning Alliances for stronger ALE structures and policies;
  • Introduce Jean Monnet activities for ALE to promote European Union learning;
  • Make Erasmus+ more sustainable;
  • Put special emphasis on the accessibility of the programme to all;
  • Make Erasmus+ KA1 mobility actions truly inclusive for adult learners;
  • Collect qualitative and quantitative data on the impact of ALE.

Text: EAEA

11.01.2026 advocacy

"An autonomous Europe”: Cyprus’s takeover of the Council Presidency

Cyprus is the last country of the Trio Presidency to take over, following Denmark and Poland, completing an 18-month cycle. In this analysis, we look at the program presented at the beginning of the year, shaping the agenda for the next six months.

07.01.2026 adult educators

Digital competences frameworks for ALE: focus on andragogical approaches

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning and Shanghai Open University have recently launched the DELTA Framework – Digital Empowerment for Lifelong Learning and Transformative Andragogy for adult educators, with contributions from EAEA and ICAE.

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.