Learning for all
Adult learning covers all types of learning by adults who have left initial education and training, however far that process went. It includes learning for personal, civic and social purposes, as well as for employment-related purposes, and can take place either in formal education and training systems or other settings.
European policy
The value of adult learning for employability and mobility is widely acknowledged across the EU, but it still needs greater recognition and resources. At present, adult participation in ‘lifelong learning’ varies greatly and is unsatisfactory in many EU countries. The European Union set a target for average participation in lifelong learning throughout the EU at 15 % by 2020 for adults aged 25–64. In 2010, average participation was 9.1 %.
Action has been taken at the EU level to address these shortcomings. The Education Council adopted a renewed European Agenda for Adult Learning in November 2011 
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The Agenda will frame the work of the adult learning sector at European level from 2012 to 2014. It builds on past work undertaken by the European Commission, in particular on the Communication on Adult Learning in October 2006, and the subsequent Action Plan on Adult Learning 2008-2010 that was endorsed by national education ministers in May 2008 .
Learning from each other
The European Commission supports the exchange of good practice and mutual learning in the adult learning sector through thematic working groups, conferences, peer learning activities, etc. In compliance with the European Agenda, a network of national coordinators has been established, comprising a representative from EU Member States and other participating countries to help address the 2012–2014 priority areas at national level and engage in transnational cooperation.
Read more about these "peer learning" activities in adult education and the priority areas they are working on:
- "One step up", which aims to allow people to acquire at least one additional qualification throughout their lives
- Adult literacy
- Monitoring of adult learning
- Validation of non-formal and informal learning
The Lifelong Learning Programme, especially its Grundtvig sub-programme, provides important practical support for the implementation of adult learning policies.
More information
Studies and publications
- Study on European Terminology in Adult Learning for a common language and common understanding and monitoring of the sector
- Final report
- Executive summary
- European Adult Learning Glossary, Level 1
- European Adult Learning Glossary, Level 2
- Supporting tables
- Final report
- Adult learning professions, published in 2008
- Full report
- Executive summary
- Full report
- Enabling the low skilled to take their qualifications "one step up"
- Final report
- Annex 1: 14 case study reports
- Annex 2: Inventory of good outreach practices
- Final report
- Key competences for adult learning professionals
- The role of higher education institutions as providers of continuous professional learning and adult education
