Grundtvig
Sowing the learning seeds
AONTAS is currently involved in a Grundtig project called "Sowing the Learning seeds".
The overall aim of the 2-year 'Sowing the Learning Seeds' (SLS) project is to increase the participation of adult learners as a result of well-operating networks and learning campaigns.
Adult education organisations use different approaches to and means for raising peoples' awareness of the essence and possibilities of lifelong learning. The most important of them appear to be learning campaigns such as Adult Learners' Weeks (ALWs) and other learning festivals. The key players of these events are the organisers who come from institutions of diverse profiles, and outstanding learners.
In order to more efficiently run these events and to better reach various target groups it is inevitable to acquire new skills and experience and to establish informal cooperation networks that are enabled to operate in a more enhanced and organised manner.
As a result, the SLS project consists of six workshops and a seminar that will take place between October 2010 and July 2012 and will focus on five themes: volunteer involvement, use of media channels, involvement of outstanding learners, outreach to target groups and networks and partnerships promoting adult education.For more information about this project please visit: http://pro.acs.si/sls/
Information about the Grundtvig Programme
The Grundtvig action of the Socrates programme is supported by the European Commission. It promotes the European dimension of adult education and provides support for four main types of activity:
European co-operation projects
These are large transnational projects involving at least one partner from a minimum of three countries participating in SOCRATES working together on a theme of common interest with a view to developing a product, a training course, or a new methodogical approach.
European learning partnerships
These are process-driven locally based transnational projects between a minimum of three partners in three countries with a view to sharing experience and expertise and enhancing provision in the participating organisations/instiutions.
Mobility
This action provides opportunities for those working in adult education institutions and organisations to undertake a training course or a placement in another country participating in the programme with a view to the ongoing professional development of the participant.
Networks
These are large-scale projects, which bring together clusters of projects working on a thematic area of common interest with a view to developing sustainability and impacting significantly on the sector.
Léargas - The Exchange Bureau is Ireland's National Agency for the management of National, European and International co-operation programmes involving:
- Education and Lifelong Learning
- Vocational Education and Training
- Youth and Community Work
- Guidance in Education
Through the Grundtvig programme the Léargas Education Service regularly supports adult learners and adult educators from all sectors of adult education to participate in contact seminars, thematic seminars and partner-finding fairs. The aim of these meetings, which are fully supported by Léargas, are to set up links with groups across Europe with a view to future project work under the E.U.'s Grundtvig programme.
Further information on Grundtvig and other European initiatives may be obtained on the Léargas website at www.leargas.ie
