Meet LLLP's newest members: the European Basic Skills Network and the International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation

On 2 July, the Lifelong Learning Platform celebrated its annual General Assembly in Brussels. During the General Assembly, LLLP welcomed two new members: the European Basic Skills Network (EBSN) and the International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation (IYMF).

Get to know more about their work below!

European Basic Skills Network (EBSN)

The European Basic Skills Network (EBSN) is a European non-profit association dedicated to promoting effective policy development and cooperation in the field of adult basic skills. Founded in 2010, EBSN brings together ministries of education, regional authorities, universities and research institutes, NGOs, and major education providers from across Europe. Its mission is to ensure that all adults in Europe acquire the essential skills—literacy, numeracy, digital competence, and transversal skills —needed for lifelong learning, employability, and social inclusion.

In the 2025–2027 period, EBSN will focus on supporting the implementation of the European Commission’s Action Plan on Basic Skills and contributing to the Union of Skills initiative. Through policy advocacy, peer learning, and professional development programmes (like the EBSN Capacity Building Series and Professional Development Series for Basic Skills Teachers), the network will empower members to drive inclusive, evidence-based reforms.

EBSN also supports EU Member States in addressing the challenges highlighted in the OECD’s PIAAC results by helping to raise awareness, build strategic capacity among national and regional stakeholders, and strengthen the professional development ecosystem for educators, trainers, and guidance staff by establishing Microcredentials. In parallel, the network seeks to engage with Pact for Skills partnerships to co-create inclusive upskilling pathways that address the foundational skills needs of employees, ensuring their active participation in the digital and green (twin) transition.

In response to growing innovation in adult education, EBSN is also facilitating cross-border knowledge sharing on how digital technologies can enhance basic skills teaching and learning, and on how data and learning analytics can be better utilised in policy planning. As a new member of the LLLP community, EBSN looks forward to contributing to shared European efforts to advance equity, inclusion, and lifelong learning for all.

International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation (IYMF)

Established in 1991 by Yehudi Menuhin and their Executive Vice Président and co-founder Marianne Poncelet the International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation (IYMF) is registered as a non-profit association by royal decree.

As one of the greatest violinist and humanist of the twentieth century, Yehudi Menuhin always believed that arts and creativity must have a central place in any process of personal and/or societal development.

In 1993 Werner Schmitt (IYMF Vice-President), Marianne Poncelet and Yehudi Menuhin created the MUS-E programme. Since 1993, MUSE-E associations have developed operations in 13 countries involving 61000 children and up to 500 schools. Over the years, we’ve crafted a wealth experience in implementing the use of creating arts in traditional primary schools working particularly with children from disadvantaged backgrounds.