ADVOCALE: Advocacy for the Marrakech Framework for Action in Adult Learning

The goal of the AdvocALE project is to strengthen the advocacy capacity of adult education organisations to foster the implementation of UNESCO’s Marrakech Framework for Action (MFA).

Through Advocacy Trainings, regional networking and a final conference in Switzerland, participants from across the world learn and work together, share ideas and enable each other to implement concrete actions in their own countries – and with this, give a momentum to the MFA.

AdvocALE seeks to empower adult education organisations with the skills and tools needed to actively foster the implementation of the Marrakech Framework for Action (MFA). The MFA was adopted at UNESCO’s CONFINTEA VII conference in June 2022 and represents the global roadmap to advance Adult Learning and Education (ALE) through the following priorities: inclusive ALE, gender equality, sustainability and climate action, global citizenship, digital environments, the future of work, and learning cultures. With 142 countries – including Switzerland – having signed the MFA, national governments have formally committed to advancing these goals. However, the implementation of the MFA at national level is stalling in many countries, including Switzerland. In many contexts, adult education organisations still lack the shared narratives, advocacy skills, and transnational coordination needed to influence policy and funding decisions.

Project goals

AdvocALE pursues three closely linked objectives and results:

🎯1. Increase capacity building through Advocacy Trainings and Toolkit
A core objective is to equip adult education stakeholders with competencies advocacy, raising policy-relevant arguments, and a shared understanding of MFA priorities. To achieve this, partners will organise three advocacy training weeks for ALE professionals on the themes of 1) Basic Skills Education 2) Digitalisation of Work and 3) Global Responsibility, in Brussels, online and Girona, respectively.

🎯2. Regional networking for coordinated advocacy and policy action
A second objective is to improve regional cooperation and peer learning among organisations and learners working on MFA implementation. AdvocALE therefore creates regional networking activities, such as online or in-person discussion rounds, which provide space to reflect on advocacy actions, exchange good practices, and address shared challenges.

🎯3. Replicable toolkit and method for advocacy
The third objective is to consolidate project learning and strengthen civil society voice through a final international conference in Switzerland, organised as a lead-in to UNESCO’s CONFINTEA mid-term review in 2028. By bringing together all thematic focus areas and participants across regions, the conference will translate a wide range of approaches into coherent, policy-relevant messages aligned with MFA commitments. The conference is open to the public. Around 120 persons are expected.

Partners

Project Partners

Project coordinator: Swiss Federation for Adult Learning (SVEB)

SVEB, project coordinator, is the national umbrella organisation for the field of adult education in Switzerland with 700 members. Totally 28 employees work in three offices in the three language regions in Switzerland for the organisation. SVEB is a major advocate for interests in the field of ALE and an important networking and multiplier actor in Switzerland. SVEB has a focus on digital and green transition, works closely with members in the field and conducts strategic work on the topic.

Since its founding, SVEB has been internationally active and has earned an excellent reputation in the international field of adult education. The Swiss ALE System serves as an international role model. SVEB hat been founding member of several international networks, such as the International Council of Adult Education ICAE, European Association for the Education of Adults EAEA, and the European Basic Skills Network EBSN.

Partner: European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA)

EAEA, the European Association for the Education of Adults, is the voice of non-formal and informal adult education in Europe. EAEA is a transnational, non-profit association with 120 members in 43 countries.

EAEA’s overarching objectives include the promotion of active citizenship, democracy, and sustainable development, with a particular focus on fostering a just green and digital transition. The transformative power of ALE is the common thread of EAEA’s activities, whether it is individual transformation, i.e. personal and professional development through ALE, or achieving societal goals such as the green transition by empowering communities to strive for this transformation.

Partner: International Council for Adult Education (ICAE)

The International Council for Adult Education (ICAE) is a global network of regional and national umbrella organisations advocating adult learning and education (ALE) as a fundamental human right. Comprising seven regional bodies (Africa, the Arab Region, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, and North America) and representing over 800 NGOs across more than 75 countries, ICAE promotes lifelong learning as a driver of social transformation, enabling individuals to participate actively and fully in society. The organisation holds consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and works closely with UNESCO.

In association with: Associació Catalana per a l’Educació, la Formació i la Recerca (ACEFIR)

ACEFIR, Catalan Association for Education, Training and Research, is a social initiative that brings together a team of professionals from different fields with the common interest of working for education, training and research related to youth, adults and the elderly. They have experience negotiating the MFA for Spain and strong experience in delivering training in adult learning and education settings.

AdvocALE Training

Throughout the AdvocALE project, ALE professionals will have the opportunity to participate in fully-funded training courses.

A core objective is to equip adult education stakeholders with competencies advocacy, raising policy-relevant arguments, and a shared understanding of MFA priorities. To achieve this, partners will organise three advocacy training weeks for ALE professionals.