In 2026 the LLLWeek will see its 16th edition, running on 30 November - 4 December 2026. The LLLWeek will be inscribed in the 2026 Annual Theme "Reimagining validation and recognition: give value to all learners, learning and competences", and will address it through LLLP's 5 renewed priorities: Investment, Inclusion, Innovation, Internationalisation and Intermediaries. To ensure consistency and belonging, each day of the week will be dedicated to one of the topics and each day will have a host MEP. Check out the events from the menus below and register to as many as you want!

HOSTS

Ewa Bożena Kopacz is a Polish MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament.

Prior to her election to the European Parliament Ewa Bożena Kopacz was Prime Minister of Poland (2014-2015). She served as Minister for Health from November 2007-2011. She held the position of Marshal of the Sejm in 2011 - the first woman to have held this post. In 2015, Forbes magazine described her as one of the leaders of the European Union and ranked her as the world’s 40th most powerful woman.

As Vice-President, she was appointed European Parliament’s Coordinator on Children’s Rights by the President of the Parliament in 2019 and re-appointed to this position in 2024. One of her main roles is to mainstream and actively promote children’s rights in the Parliament’s policies, advocate for the rights of the child in cross-border family law disputes, including parental child abduction and promote family mediation. Since 2024 she is also a Chair of the High-level group on gender equality and diversity in the Parliament.

Before entering politics, Ewa was a paediatrician and a general medical practitioner.

Why VP Kopacz supports the LLLWeek and, in particular, the theme for 1 December: Inclusion in Education and Training.

"We all come from different backgrounds, bring unique strengths, and have diverse life experiences. That is why education must be an inclusive environment, where everyone feels accepted and has the opportunity to thrive. This journey begins in early childhood, as children discover who they are and how the world works. By creating inclusive spaces for care and learning, we show them that being different does not make anyone less worthy, and that everyone has unique abilities and potential.

As children grow, their learning expands far beyond the classroom and continues throughout their lives. If well-equipped from day one with inclusive resources and collaborative skills, they will be able to reach their full potential in adulthood. I am hosting the Lifelong Learning Week’s Inclusion Day because I strongly believe that by prioritising inclusion in education and lifelong learning, we are building an empathetic, respectful, and fairer world for the generations to come." - Ewa Kopacz.

Nela Riehl was born and raised in Hamburg as a working-class child with roots in Germany and Ghana. As a child, she was always waiting at the border control barriers to cross the borders within Europe, so she is well aware that only a united Europe is the future.

Democracy thrives on representation! That is why Nela has reorganised herself and her life to change the political landscape. A look around Europe and beyond shows that illiberal trends are on the rise. Nela is committed to a Europe that resists these tendencies - a Europe that draws its strength from the diversity of different perspectives. Because only with diversity can we defend our democracy and stand up for a climate-neutral, innovative and just future.

Why does MEP Nela support the LLLWeek?

"Learning happens everywhere: in classrooms and workplaces, in youth organisations, volunteering and community life, at every age. Yet too much of what people learn outside formal education still goes unrecognised, and with it, their talent and potential.

Erasmus+ is one of the EU's most tangible achievements, turning Europe into a personal experience for millions. To make it truly inclusive and lifelong, it needs investment that matches its ambition. That is why the European Parliament supports a strong Erasmus+ budget of €47.4 billion.

Investing in learning must go hand in hand with investing in its recognition. Validation of prior learning and recognition of qualifications, including automatic recognition of learning periods abroad, turn experience into opportunities: further education, quality jobs and mobility across borders. Tools like Europass, Youthpass and the EQF deserve proper resources.

Every learner and every competence should count. That is the Europe of lifelong learning I am working for." - Nela Riehl.

Victor Negrescu, representative of Romania in the European Parliament, believes in dialogue, responsibility and concrete results, having a vision based on social justice, public responsibility and professionalism.

As Vice-President of the European Parliament, Victor has direct responsibilities in areas essential for strengthening citizens' trust in the European institutions. He is responsible for combating corruption and transparency policies, playing an active role in promoting integrity, accountability and openness in the European decision-making process.

He is also a member of key committees with a direct impact on citizens' lives. He is active in the Committee on Budgets (BUDG), where he is involved in defining the European Union's budgetary priorities, in the Committee on Public Health (SANT), dedicated to strengthening European public health policies, and in the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI), which contributes to the coherence and fairness of the European legislative framework.

In addition, it manages the relationship with social partners and is involved in institutional dialogue with international organisations and partners relevant to economic and social policies, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Since 2007, he is the president and national coordinator of the Romanian network of PES activists.

Why does MEP Victor support the LLLWeek?

"Europe’s future depends on how well we invest in people and their skills. Learning does not stop at the classroom door. What people learn at work, through volunteering and in their communities should open doors to further education and employment.

As host of Lifelong Learning Week’s Innovation Day, I want to put the recognition of these skills firmly on the European agenda. Innovation must make it easier for people to have their learning recognised and to use it across Europe. This is essential if we want lifelong learning to become a reality for everyone.

That ambition needs funding. Together with my fellow co-chairs of the Intergroup on the Future of Education and Skills for a Competitive Europe, I call for at least €47.39 billion for Erasmus+ in 2028–2034. The next EU budget must give more people the opportunity to learn, develop their skills and take part in Europe’s future." - Victor Negrescu.