A recent survey, conducted by the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA), reveals persisting challenges and issues faced by organisations participating in projects funded by the European Social Fund+ (ESF+). The valuable insights and recommendations collected in the survey aim to enhance the inclusivity and accessibility of the ESF+ programme, by putting the learners at the centre.

Thanks to years of advocacy and multiple efforts in the last months, EAEA has succeeded in making adult learning an integral part of the new learning mobility framework. The new framework was proposed by the European Commission in mid-November.

Recent reports from EAEA’s members reveal that Adult Learning and Education is facing considerable financial cuts in many European countries. Notably, Sweden and Finland which are known for their traditionally strong support of non-formal ALE, are now facing severe cuts.

A memorandum of understanding, signed last summer by EAEA and the European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA), aims to strengthen the collaboration between the two organisations. EAEA’s Gina Ebner and ESREA’s Marcella Milana reflect on the past and future activities that brought both networks closer.

EAEA welcomes the great interest that the European Year of Skills (EYS) has brought to skills and ALE, as we believe that this area is of enormous importance for the future of Europe. Six months into the thematic year, it is time to take stock, shedding light on the connection between skills and work – and looking at how we can go beyond skills for the labour market.

In the picturesque regions of Shirak and Gegharkunik in Armenia, an initiative was born with a clear mission: to enhance the economic well-being of local women. While focusing on economic empowerment it has also sparked a green revolution in the community. This project has earned itself the 2023 EAEA Grundtvig Award in the national category for adult learning and the green transition.

At the last edition of the Academy of Lifelong Learning Advocacy in Beirut, EAEA’s Aleksandra Kozyra has spoken to educators from Lebanon, Algeria, Nigeria, Uruguay and Ecuador about their work in women’s empowerment.

In adult education, the participation of people with disabilities is only rudimentarily realised. Appropriate concepts and political framework conditions are lacking. In many places, however, individual institutions or professionals are committed to inclusion. ALL IN, a European project, coordinated by the Akademie Klausenhof, has spent three years intensively examining the status, possibilities and limits of inclusion in adult education.

AI4AL project, is an initiative aimed at promoting the adoption of AI technologies in the Adult Learning and Education (ALE) sector, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. We are currently reaching out to invite the tutors to actively participate in our project’s processes, including testing, piloting, and providing us with insights concerning their experiences with AI.

The European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) is pleased to announce the appointment of George A. Koulaouzides as the 3rd Vice President of the EAEA Board.