Read the full statement: Erasmus+ for everyone: Europe needs a broad vision of Adult Learning and Education (pdf)
Europe must safeguard a broad and inclusive vision of adult learning and education (ALE) at the heart of the next Erasmus+ programme. If the term ‘learning’ is omitted from the definition of ALE, there is a risk that future funding will be limited to employment-related programmes.
Erasmus+ is far more than a mobility programme for university students. Erasmus+ is a key financing instrument for ALE in Europe and complements other European funding programmes such as ESF+. Erasmus+ supports learners and educators across sectors, enables transnational exchange, fosters peer learning and strategic cooperation, promotes innovation in educational approaches and strengthens European values.
Our key recommendations:
- Promote holistic approaches to learning
- Keep “learning” in the definition of ALE to represent learning that is not related to vocational training and education (VET)
- Do not conflate VET with adult learning and education
- Address the needs of diverse learners, including NEETs, people with disabilities, older and isolated learners
- Keep mobility programmes active for learning and personal development
- Integrate sustainability in learning
EAEA calls on the European institutions to reject a narrow definition of adult education. Instead, the next Erasmus+ programme must be built on a broad, holistic and inclusive understanding of adult learning and education, one that reflects the full reality of people’s lives and the needs of European societies.
Text: EAEA