16.12.2022

Financing adult learning and education in Europe

EAEA is happy to present its background paper “Financing ALE in Europe”, prepared by EAEA’s Working Group on Financing ALE. Looking at the current financing levels of ALE in Europe, funding instruments as well as key trends and challenges in financing (e.g. Individual Learning Accounts and EdTech funding), the paper provides a 360-degree view on funding in European ALE and provides recommendations for its financial sustainability.

Download our background report here (pdf)

EAEA has been closely monitoring the funding situation of adult learning and education (ALE) in Europe for a number of years through its Country Reports and projects – in particular Financing Adult Learning in Europe (FinALE), which was completed in 2018. The development of public funding is at the forefront of our monitoring as this is pivotal for the financial sustainability of the sector, but also quality assurance of learning provision.

In 2022, the EAEA working group on financing took a closer look at the current financing levels of ALE in Europe (or, rather, what we know and don’t know about them), financing instruments, and key trends and challenges in financing ALE. 

Based on this, the working group developed a number of policy recommendations (for more details, please consult the background report):

Policy-making level

  • Developing and implementing benchmarks for the financing of ALE
  • Creating incentives for the creation of financial frameworks for ALE
  • Promoting data collection on the funding of ALE
  • Promoting financial tools and instruments that foster collaboration and complementarity rather than competition

Practice level

  • Collecting good practices from other sectors or countries
  • Collecting data in the organisation
  • Raising awareness of the impact of sustainable funding on learners

 

Text: EAEAPhotos: EAEA

28.10.2025 EAEA Executive Board

Marta Jendeková, Oleg Smirnov and Dearbháil Lawless appointed as Vice Presidents of the EAEA Board

Following the election of the new Executive Board in June 2025, EAEA has appointed three new Vice Presidents.

26.10.2025 financing

Financing adult learning – what is the state of play?

On 20 and 21 October 2025, EAEA joined the CEDEFOP conference on ‘’ Financing adult learning: The role of public funding’’ in Thessaloniki, bringing the perspective of non-formal adult education and of integrated ALE ecosystems across different sectors.

25.10.2025 advocacy

EAEA statement on the European Pillar of Social Rights - Call for evidence

EAEA participated in the Commission’s call for evidence on the European Pillar of Social Rights, inviting the Commission to continue its holistic approach to education and skills. EAEA calls for stronger dialogues with the civil society organisations, learning providers, and learners in the implementation and monitoring of the EPSR, at all levels, to drive systemic and inclusive educational change.