Against the background of multiple crises and rising political tensions in Europe, how can adult learning providers highlight their contribution to democracy and social inclusion? A recent conference in Chisinau, Moldova, organised by DVV International in collaboration with EAEA, looked at new spaces for learning, and the challenges and opportunities of partnerships between adult learning providers and municipalities to encourage local development.

Younger Staff Training week in Brussels offered the perfect setting for the exchange of experiences, ideas, and collegiality among participants from 10 European countries.

The EAEA Sustainability Working Group had a very active year in 2022: not only did it prepare a webinar in the framework of the UNEP Stockholm+50 conference, a major international event on climate and the environment, but it also prepared EAEA’s 2023 annual theme on green transition. A concept paper developed by the working group sets out the main ideas for 2023.

EAEA is happy to introduce 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.

The Lifelong Learning Interest Group, chaired by MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen, met 29 November to discuss Investment in Learning Mobility.

Quality assurance in adult learning and education (ALE) can be more challenging than in other sectors – the provision is very fragmented and in many countries it is underfunded and not easily categorised. EAEA’s Quality Working Group developed recommendations for a new approach to quality assurance for the sector.

According to the new publication by the Bildung project, “Digitalisation and Bildung”, Bildung must accompany the digital transformation of our societies. The paper explores, how Bildung and digitalisation complement each other. What are the benefits, and what are the risks?

EAEA is happy to present its background paper on the annual theme 2022 on transformative learning and value. This year’s theme was a voyage into new waters, a search and exploration of possibilities, partnerships, and perspectives, and most importantly, a journey to the heart of adult learning and education.

EAEA urges the EU to offer more opportunities for participation of Eastern European non-EU countries in the Erasmus+ programme.

2022 has, so far, been a very eventful year for adult learning and education at the European and international levels. Together with civil society partners, EAEA has been bringing the voice of adult learners into the discussions and negotiations on several key adult learning policies.