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

24.07.2024 advocacy

Adult Education and Learning for all must become a top European priority in the European Education Area

Adult education and learning for all to become a top European priority for the newly elected European Parliament and the new European Commission,  EAEA said in response to the European Commission's open public consultation on the mid-term review of the European Education Area.

22.07.2024 advocacy

EAEA’s take on von der Leyen’s re-election: important commitments on skills and adult learning

EAEA welcomes the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission on July 18. Von der Leyen’s previous Commission has led crucial initiatives to put skills and adult learning at the top of the political agenda, notably the European Year of Skills 2023.

16.07.2024 access

Making Education Accessible and Inclusive for Families, Parents and Family Carers: COFACE and EAEA call for a ‘Family Test’ in EU Education and Training Policies

In the context of the European Commission public consultation on the European Education Area, COFACE Families Europe and EAEA call for a 'family test' in EU education and training programmes.