In times of rapidly changing economic and social circumstances, Adult Learning and Education (ALE) plays a crucial role in addressing educational and social inequalities. Beyond skills development, ALE strengthens people’s confidence, a sense of belonging, and the ability to participate in communities. It fosters resilience and supports communities in facing change together, based on solidarity, dialogue, and shared values.
Against this background, EAEA’s Grundtvig Award 2026 recognised projects that showcase Resilience and Community-Building in adult education. The winners were selected in two categories: local/regional/national initiatives and transnational initiatives. The awards were given by EAEA President Lauri Tuomi from the Finnish Lifelong Learning Foundation, and EAEA Secretary General Raffaela Kihrer.
Empowering citizens to shape public policy in Türkiye
“Izmir Citizens’ Assembly for Climate” project won the EAEA Grundtvig Award in the national category. Led by the YUVA Association, it is the first citizens’ assembly implemented in Türkiye, bringing together randomly selected citizens to learn about climate change, deliberate collectively, and produce policy recommendations for local governance.
The project integrates adult learning methodologies with deliberative democracy practices, enabling participants from diverse backgrounds to engage with complex climate issues through structured learning and facilitated discussions.
Erdem Vardar accepted the award on behalf of the project team:
“Winning the EAEA Grundtvig Award is a powerful recognition of the role local civic initiatives and informed citizens can play in tackling the climate crisis. For YUVA, it affirms that the combination of adult education and participatory democracy can create inclusive, community-driven solutions and inspire collective action for a just and sustainable future.”
Making volunteering a recognised learning pathway
“Developing volunteering as a part of individual learning path” (VOLUGRAM) won the Grundtvig Award in the category of transnational projects. Led by Tartu Vocational College, the project is based on the idea that volunteering is a powerful and flexible learning pathway, bridging formal education and real-world civic engagement. By connecting the European Capitals of Culture 2024 regions – Tartu, Bad Ischl-Salzkammergut, and Bodø – the project strengthened local communities, empowered volunteer leaders, and developed a recognition tool to validate volunteering within formal learning pathways.
The project’s impact continues, with Tartu Vocational College offering voluntary work as an optional course, an international course for volunteer leaders, and ongoing use of the recognition tool.
“At Tartu Vocational College, we firmly believe in endless possibilities of adult learning. Being nominated for the Grundtvig Award confirms the vital links between formal education, personal development, active volunteering and strong, connected communities. We are incredibly proud to see that our innovative approach, which officially recognises and values volunteer work as part of an adult’s individual learning path, is celebrated on a European stage,” says Kaire Mets on winning the award.
The Award Ceremony was held at the Museum of Warsaw on 9th June 2026 and it was a part of the EAEA General Assembly and Annual Conference.
Background
The EAEA Grundtvig Award was launched in 2003 by EAEA to recognise and celebrate excellence in adult education. It highlights project results that produce new ideas, partnerships, methodologies, and understanding of how we can work in adult learning.
The 2026 jury consisted of EAEA Executive Board members Marianne Müller, SVEB (Switzerland), Oleg Smirnov, Integration and Development Center for Information and Research (Ukraine) and Balázs Németh, University of Pécs (Hungary).
Contact information / EAEA
Raffaela Kihrer
+32 (0)2 893 25 24
raffaela.kihrer(at)eaea.org
Contact information / VOLUGRAM project
Kaire Mets
e-mail: kaire.mets(at)voco.ee
Tartu Vocational College
Contact information / Izmir Citizens’ Assembly for Climate project
Erdem Vardar
e-mail: erdem.vardar(at)yuva.org.tr
YUVA Association
Photos: Michal Kepinski