EAEA Additional comments on the consultation on the future programme in the field of education and training

November 2010

European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA aisbl)
Rue d´Arlon 40, B - 1000 Brussels
Register ID number: 3334854676-12
Submitted by: Gina Ebner, Secretary General

• In addition to the four objectives from ET2020, we think that demographic change should be introduced as a fifth objective. This objective would open themes such as migrants, intergenerational learning and older learners; Taking the upcoming demographic changes in Europe into consideration, we think this is timely and important topic for lifelong learning.
• We think that a stronger complementarity and cooperation between the LLP and the ESF are necessary (and the directorates responsible for them). While the LLP should continue to provide innovation and new ideas, the ESF could play a bigger role in the implementation of such ideas. Additionally, both programmes should more strongly support the policy developments of the EU and cooperate more effectively in doing so.
• EAEA believes that it is vital that non-vocational adult learning and education should remain a strand in the lifelong learning programme. Projects that deal with issues such as social inclusion, active citizenship, creativity and personal development, older learners etc. need to be supported. We therefore suggest that Grundtvig remains as an independent programme. Synergies with other programmes should nevertheless be possible and also promoted.
• Grundtvig should be further opened to participants from outside the EU. We suggest a first focus on the countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy and then a further development of this Grundtvig Mundus programme. Additional funds should be made available for this.
• A sub-programme on ‘Transfer of Innovation´ as it exists in Leonardo could be introduced in Grundtvig as well.
• In the centralised actions, a closer relation between programme and policy is recommended. The Action Plan on Adult Learning and its successor are developing policy recommendations at the European level, which should be a strong focus of the centralised actions.
• Taking into consideration that the resources for high quality and necessary research in adult education are very limited (even for providing evidence for further policy developments), sufficient funds of the Grundtvig programme should be reserved for this purpose.
• A further reduction and simplification of bureaucratic procedures are highly recommended.
  o Application procedures need to be further simplified.
  o Financial regulations should be easier and more transparent.
  o Late payments should be avoided.
  o A review of the National and Executive Agencies could help improve procedures in this respect, too.
• Additional funds and time for the dissemination period are recommended. A more centralized approach to exploitation could also be considered. Calls for tender could replace some of the multilateral projects and networks in order to ensure a closer connection between policy and practice.

And finally...
In order to increase the impact of Grundtvig, more funds are necessary. This means both the funding of the lifelong learning programme in general as well as the percentage of Grundtvig within the LLP. Within the lifelong learning cycle, adults form the largest group of potential beneficiaries. Considering huge challenges such as demographic change, we need the necessary funds to tackle them. We therefore suggest that 20 % of the lifelong learning programme budget will be dedicated to the Grundtvig programme.