Start date: October 2023
Duration: 24 months
This project is based in the findings from the Upskilling Pathways initiative.
In December 2016, the Council of the European Union adopted the Recommendation of Upskilling Pathways, an ambitious policy on how to address the fact that many people across Europe still lack core skills such as literacy and numeracy.
This project seeks to help people acquire a minimum level of literacy, numeracy, and digital skills to offer them equal opportunities to participate in our society.
It looks at how to help people gain a broad set of skills equivalent to an upper secondary school qualification.
We are analysing existing information on how adult learning organisations and policymakers cooperate on this, and on what is missing which would be more effective.
We are bringing the different stakeholders together to agree new and improved ways to cooperate.
We are also learning from with the other partners about what works well in their countries and local communities.
And we're develping implementation plans for further stakeholder engagement and cooperation.
The launch of the project took place in 2023, marked by the kick-off meeting and a study visit in Zagreb, Croatia. Partners had the chance to explore Obrtničko učiliste, an adult education institution in Zagreb, which is dedicated to bridging vocational education with economic and regional development. All partners learned more about the implementation of Upskilling Pathways in Croatia.
The Partner UP consortium conducted a transnational meeting and study visit in Dublin, Ireland, hosted by AONTAS at the Digital Hub. During the meeting, partners had the opportunity to discuss the national and European stakeholder analyses. The study visit included a trip to Dublin 8 Community Education Centre. The organisation highlighted its commitment to adult learners, offering courses on digital skills, numeracy and literacy.
Over the course of the project, AONTAS held three stakeholder engagement activities, including a panel discussion, roundtable discussion, and an online focus group. The panel discussion was successful with adult learners who have overcome huge barriers to accessing education sharing their journeys. The roundtable discussion allowed stakeholders to give input while using learner personas. For the online focus group, we also used learner personas as a tool for discussion. This approach facilitated focused and productive sharing of ideas. The report will be available soon on the Partner UP website.
We have shared the outcomes of the project nationally in Ireland and at European level with relevant institutions, organisations, and policymakers.
The Partner UP final conference took place in Brussels. The conference focused on how Partner UP has contributed to increasing adult learners’ participation in lifelong learning opportunities and promoting cooperation among the stakeholders involved. The conference brought together key stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, and project partners, to share insights, discuss outcomes, and explore the future of partnership-driven initiatives across Europe. Learn more about the Partner UP final conference.
We are partnering with several organisations on this project, including Asociatia Euro Adult Education in Romania, European Universities Continuing Education Network (EUCEN) in Belgium, Epistimoniki Enosi Ekpaidefsis Enilikou Somateio (HAEA) in Greece, Ustanova Za Obrazovanje Odraslih Dante in Croatia, Forma.Azione srl in Italy, and State Education Development Agency (VIAA) in Latvia
We will use the results of this work to influence adult education policy in Ireland and across Europe. We will encourage decision makers to direct funding at community education services that work with adults who are seeking to improve their literacy and numeracy skills.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.