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

14.11.2024 ABC of ALE

ABC of ALE: Annual training for adult educators focuses on grassroots Adult Education initiatives

In October 2024, the European Association for the Education of Adults organised the “ABC of ALE” training programme in Brussels, an introductory capacity-building workshop for EAEA members that delved into Adult Learning and Education (ALE) as a historic concept, movement, and transformative tool in society. The workshop targeted entry and mid-level professionals in the field, with the view to provide them with an overview of the concept of non-formal adult learning and education, linking it to both theory and practice.

14.11.2024 advocacy

EAEA’s induction at the IACE Hall of Fame: This award is for everyone active in EAEA

At the beginning of November, EAEA took part in the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame (HoF) conference and its induction ceremony in the impressive settings of the University of Florence.

08.11.2024 sustainability

SMALEI Digital Academy kicks off with high-level discussion

"We need to have the drive for everyone to get involved in it" stated Gustav Fridolin concerning sustainability and providing internal strategies in various organisations, during the first SMALEI Digital Academy Talks webinar on the environmental sustainability  of adult education institutions.