More European Funding Needed for Adults Tuesday, November 23, 2010 - 15:03

NIACE is calling for a better deal for adult learners across Europe, following the news that less than 5 per cent of the new European Lifelong Learning Programme is being proposed for adult education.

The European Commission has posted, online, a consultation paper on the next Lifelong Learning Programme which will run from 2014 to 2020. This programme funds, Comenius for schools, Erasmus for Higher Education, Leonardo da Vinci for vocational education and training and Grundtvig for adult education.

The current Lifelong Learning Programme has a budget of over one billion Euros a year and funds thousands of projects, partnerships and mobility opportunities. However less than 5 per cent of the budget is to be spent on Grundtvig for adult education. NIACE is calling on its members to respond to this consultation to ensure a better deal for adults.  

Mark Ravenhall, Director of Operations at NIACE, said:

"The Grundtvig Programme, although a small part of the entire Lifelong Learning budget is valued enormously by Adult Education organisations because it supports the development of non-formal adult learning. NIACE, alongside our fellow members in the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA), is urging all adult education organisations to respond to the consultation on the next programme."

"In order to increase the impact of adult learning programmes like Grundtvig more funds are essential. Adults are by far the largest group of potential beneficiaries, the group with the greatest need, and yet they receive the least funding. Surely before we reach 2012 - the European Year of Active Ageing, we need sufficient funding to address the challenges that older adults across Europe face in accessing learning opportunities."

Sue Waddington, the President of the EAEA said:

"Grundtvig encourages partnerships and links between adult educators, learners and their organisations. It is the only European programme that we have to develop and share non-formal learning initiatives aimed at non-traditional learners. At a time of demographic ageing in Europe it is even more important that the new Lifelong Learning Programme supports improving opportunities and systems in Adult Education. I hope everyone will respond to this consultation so that the voice of adult education won't be ignored."