Search this site

The Erasmus+ Survey 2017 is launched The LLLPlatform makes an annual review of the Erasmus+ programme implementation and shares its results with policy-makers to enhance the application process and the content of the programme. This survey is conducted by the Platform to evaluate how beneficiaries (like you) have experienced the past round of applications of the Erasmus+ programme: what do you think of Erasmus+? Are you satisfied with its new features? What problems did you encounter? What suggestions for improvement would you make? The survey is available in English, and answering should not take more than 5 to 10 minutes of your time, but it will contribute greatly to improve the programme! Deadline to reply is 30 June 2017. Results will be presented at launch of the LLLWeek2017, in November 2017.

The first 2017 meeting of the LLL Interest Group was held on 21 March in the European Parliament. The discussion on “Principles of Inclusiveness for Improved and Modernised Education” was based on the Maltese Presidency Council conclusions presented by Mr. Micaleff Grimaud (PermRep) and the European Commissions’ Communication on “Improving and Modernising Education” presented by Fiorella Perotto, DG EAC. Discussants highlighted the importance of more EU Member State commitmentand better cooperation with civil society organisations, namely regarding the value and cost-efficiency of the non-formal and informal learning opportunities. In this sentence, the LLLPlatform supports the Council Conclusions according to which “ensuring inclusive high quality education should be seen as a lifelong perspective covering all aspects of education, and including the school community and the community at large.”

The first 2017 meeting of the LLL Interest Group will take place on 21 March. The topic of the meeting, “Principles of Inclusiveness for Improved and Modernised Education,” is linked to the recently adopted “Communication in improving and modernising education” from the European Commission. Inclusive education is also the main priority of the Maltese presidency of the EU. Both DG EAC and the Maltese Presidency representatives will join the meeting to discuss how to ensure a lifelong learning perspective, what is the link between the Skills agenda and Inclusive education and how civil society contributes to advancing the agenda on inclusiveness.

Our Erasmus+ Implementation Survey 2016 Results are out! The 2016 Survey Preliminary Results were made public on 10 October during the LLLWeek2016 kick-off event in the European Parliament, chaired by MEP Milan Zver, European Parliament Rapporteur for the Erasmus+ Programme. The Platform organises a yearly evaluation on the implementation of the Erasmus+ programme. The survey aims to provide decision-makers with an evaluation coming from the programme’s direct beneficiairies on what works and what could be improved. The survey contains questions on various aspects related for instance to the application procedures, to the relations with the national and European agencies, the financial rules and the reporting processes. Read the Erasmus+ Implementation Survey 2016 Results here! Support us spread the word and take part in improving Erasmus+ by joining our #ErasmusPlus Survey Campaign online!

In order to be turned into comprehensive lifelong learning strategies at national/regional level, bridges should be built between education, employment and social policies, in a reinforced dialogue and cooperation with civil society. That is why several MEPs and civil society organisations met on 30 November to discuss the new Skills Agenda for Europe with Slovak Presidency of the EU Council and DG EMPL representatives. The event took place just a few days after the EU Council under Slovak Presidency adopted a resolution on a “New Skills Agenda for an inclusive and competitive Europe” in response to the related Commission’s communication from June. Civil society organisations welcomed the emphasis on the need for a balance between labour market related expected outcomes of education and training, and those related to social inclusion and the development of engaged and active citizens, development of the flexible mindsets and curiosity needed to adapt to future needs, adequate EU funding for actions under the New Skills Agenda and efficient coordination at EU level in the area of education. LLL Interest Group Chair Sirpa Pietikainen (EPP, FI) emphasised on the need to empower teachers and tackle the skills gap through the Upskilling Pathways initiative, in particular when it comes to refugees. Participants also stressed the importance of synergies between DG EAC and DG EMPL for an effective implementation in cooperation with civil society and trade unions, as well as the positive development that EQF and the Key Competence Framework for lifelong learning initiatives brought at European level.

In 2016, the Lifelong Learning Platform focused on the first priority of its Lifelong Learning Manifesto: “Building inclusive and democratic educational systems”. This priority covers different important issues such as citizenship and global education, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, fighting prejudices and discrimination, educational institutions democratic governance and learner participation, learning mobility for all and the use of arts and culture to tackle social challenges and enhance personal development. The 2016 Awards were composed of 3 Winners and 10 Inspiring Practices. LLLAwards2016: The three laureats were… The LLLPlatform is pleased to announce that the Jury has spoken, and the three LLLAward winners who were announced during the Ceremony on 11 October in Brussels are… Third Age Failte Isteach Balkans, let’s get up! TOY: Together Old and Young The winners in the category Inspiring Practices are… F.A.R.E Football People Action Weeks Support Group Network Fair Start Global Citizens Curriculum Learning 2.0gether – SME Workers and Young Unemployed Skill-Sharing for Employability Global Challenges Le-MATH : Learning Mathematics through new communication factors. L3M – Enjoyable Life Long Learning for the Older Adult incorporating Montessori Principles Initiative Cookbook – Homemade Civic Engagement ISOLEARN: Innovation and social learning in Higher Education

The 6th edition of the Lifelong Learning Week (#LLLWeek16) was held from 10 to 13 October in Brussels, gathering circa 200 policy-makers and educational stakeholders representing civil society organisations, academics and decision-makers, highlighting the key role lifelong learning plays in facing major societal challenges nowadays. This year and for the first time, the LLLWeek was organised in partnership with the European Youth Forum, merging with the former Youth Education Week, to show our commitment to joining forces with young people and youth organisations. The week kicked-off with a major consultation meeting on the Erasmus+ Programme to discuss its mid-term evaluation and the EU Parliament’s Programme Implementation Draft Report, all on the basis of the 2016 annual Erasmus+ survey results conducted by the Platform. The main findings of the LLLPlatform’s Erasmus+ Implementation Survey show a general satisfaction on the beneficiaries side, although improvements should be made as regards harmonisation of implementation rules, quantity of funds available and simplification of procedures. On this last point and regarding online tools, many participants asked the Commission to not to add on to the already numerous online platforms. The adequate distribution of funds within the Erasmus+ was highlighted as one of the main weaknesses of the current programme, where the role of civil society organisations in promoting all opportunities and the need to allocate funds based on targets needs were brought to the attention. MEP Emilian Pavel supported civil society’s call for more funding, namely on the basis that “by benefiting from Erasmus+ funding, CSO’s are spreading the word of the success of the programme, and thus, also spreading the word of success of the European ideal,” one much needed at this time. “Learning to live together” is still one of Europe’s biggest challenges. First theme of the week, discussions dug into the European understanding of intercultural dialogue and citizenship education. Participants all agreed on the necessity to adopt a holistic approach to learning, namely when considering the implementation of the Paris Declaration and in answering the challenge of radicalisation. Youth organisation projects proved their central role in fostering civic engagement, largely based on their overarching approach vehicled by non-formal education methods. This educational output is of course also largely carried through by mobility (#RecogniseStudyAbroad) or volunteering, which not only develop social and civic competences, but also contribute to preparing young people for the world of work. Together they form the XXI Century skills that knit our social fabric, placing emphasis on individuals both as citizens and workers. Building inclusive societies also means taking into consideration what role education plays in opening up employment opportunities. As MEP Andrey Novakov reminded, if it is Europe’s success story, it is also because “one out of three participants in an Erasmus exchange has got quality job. There is no national initiative that is so effective in tackling youth unemployment.” Yet in spite of existing frameworks, possibilities are unevenly distributed among citizens. “Only 1% citizens go abroad for vocational training,” said Felix Horne from DG EMPL. In light of the New Skills Agenda for Europe and if our aim is to upgrade skills for XXI Century needs, he called for a stronger “support to the validation of skills acquired by learners, including apprentices”, as incentive to participate in valuable mobility programmes. Tackling the issue of skills upgrading has become of paramount importance for Europe in dealing with the high unemployment rates many of its Member States face. Linking education to socio-economic considerations, discussions tackled the issue of “Flexible learning pathways”, as means to ensure the broadest possible access to education in order to allow citizens adapt to new realities, which so many are still the victims of, being left behind due to obsolete or inappropriate skills. This critical point was also pointed out by Jill Peiffer, Director of EPOS, during the Erasmus+ Debate on 10 October, suggesting “adult education be separated from vocational and education training in light of the broader role it has to play.” Unfortunately, as stated by MEP Teresa Cachia, “many Member States do not understand the added-value lifelong learning gives to our societies. Lifelong learning gives you the potential to better your life, to find employment, but also to interact within your community and with others.” This reality was made clear in one of the main and overarching events of the week on the use of education to ensure integration of refugees and migrants. Indeed, “we do not need to always invent new policies: we just need to get things done and implement and use what we already know,” said Michael Teutsch from DG EAC. Civil society organisations are a partner in this call. Working with institutions, they support the adequate policy implementation. However, their field experience also gives them insight into what changes are really needed, and what fails in the current paradigm. As reminded by LLLPlatform President David Lopez, “the rise of populism and negative forces that are against EU values is unfortunately today’s reality. But European civil society is pushing back and striving for a more inclusive Europe!” The LLLWeek was also a moment of getting together to celebrate the contributions of grassroot organisations in achieving these goals. The three laureats of the LLLAwards2016 were awarded during the joint ceremony with European Youth Forum and other ten practices were highlighted as inspiring and upscaling opportunities. As stated by one of the laureates, “we experienced in trainings and empowerment programs how people develop intrinsic motivation for becoming active, how creatively they start to deal with complex situations.” This is the power of lifelong learning. The week ended with an intercultural quiz night and the launch of the SDG Watch Europe Alliance, opened by EU Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans. Within this new network, the Platform furthers its commitment, under the Sustainable Development Goal 4, to promote access and quality education for all and ensure a lifelong learning approach to education. Akin the SDG, lifelong learning is “a tool to help break down silos and avoid short term thinking.” Did you participate in the LLLWeek2016? Help us improve our work by answering our LLLWeek Evaluation Survey! Event Documents in Open Access: Action Plan on the integration of third country nationals, Michael Teutsch, European Commission Slovakian Presidency actions for the integration of third country nationals through education, Ildiko Pathova, Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic Education to Human rights, Evgenia Khoroltseva,Human Rights Academy Norway Eurydice overview of education policy developments in Europe following the Paris Declaration of 17 March 2015, Sogol Noorani, Education and Youth Policy Analysis, EACEA Becoming an active citizen, Nektaria Palaiologou, International Association for Intercultural Education (IAIE), School of Education, University of Western Macedonia Intercultural and Citizenship Education, Elisa Briga, EFIL Coloured Glasses:Intercultural and Global Citizenship Education Workshops, Brian Jurczik-Arnold, EEE-YFU General Report, Earlall DoubleCup, Dick Eriksson, Director Business Relations, City of Trollhättan, Region Västra Götaland Labour market and Integration, Fredrik Adolfsson, Director of Regional Development,Region Västra Götaland It starts with language:language coaching in the Netherlands, Eline Dragt Labour market integration in Stuttgart, Gari Pavkovic, Commissioner for Integration, City of Stuttgart Education Campus: Intergrating young Refugees in Stuttgart, Community Foundation Stuttgart Challenges and solutions with the work of integration, Jan Elftorp,Director of Labourmarket and Adult EducationCity of Gothenburg #Recognise Study Abroad: Raising awareness on the recognition of the pupils’ study abroad periods, Campaign presentation Scout reaching out: How we try to include the excluded,Hans Van Kerckhove Scouts en Gidsen Vlaanderen Don Bosco International Initiatives, Angel Gudiña,Don Bosco International Reaching Out: A Local Guiding Approach, Zahra Clarke-Johnney, Europe Region WAGGGS Diversity Task Force Member Life changing adventure,Matina Loizou, UK Scout Association

The 6th edition of the Lifelong Learning Week (#LLLWeek16) was held from 10 to 13 October in Brussels, gathering circa 200 policy-makers and educational stakeholders representing civil society organisations, academics and decision-makers, highlighting the key role lifelong learning plays in facing major societal challenges nowadays. This year and for the first time, the LLLWeek was organised in partnership with the European Youth Forum, merging with the former Youth Education Week, to show our commitment to joining forces with young people and youth organisations. The week kicked-off with a major consultation meeting on the Erasmus+ Programme to discuss its mid-term evaluation and the EU Parliament’s Programme Implementation Draft Report, all on the basis of the 2016 annual Erasmus+ survey results conducted by the Platform. The main findings of the LLLPlatform’s Erasmus+ Implementation Survey show a general satisfaction on the beneficiaries side, although improvements should be made as regards harmonisation of implementation rules, quantity of funds available and simplification of procedures. On this last point and regarding online tools, many participants asked the Commission to not to add on to the already numerous online platforms. The adequate distribution of funds within the Erasmus+ was highlighted as one of the main weaknesses of the current programme, where the role of civil society organisations in promoting all opportunities and the need to allocate funds based on targets needs were brought to the attention. MEP Emilian Pavel supported civil society’s call for more funding, namely on the basis that “by benefiting from Erasmus+ funding, CSO’s are spreading the word of the success of the programme, and thus, also spreading the word of success of the European ideal,” one much needed at this time. “Learning to live together” is still one of Europe’s biggest challenges. First theme of the week, discussions dug into the European understanding of intercultural dialogue and citizenship education. Participants all agreed on the necessity to adopt a holistic approach to learning, namely when considering the implementation of the Paris Declaration and in answering the challenge of radicalisation. Youth organisation projects proved their central role in fostering civic engagement, largely based on their overarching approach vehicled by non-formal education methods. This educational output is of course also largely carried through by mobility (#RecogniseStudyAbroad) or volunteering, which not only develop social and civic competences, but also contribute to preparing young people for the world of work. Together they form the XXI Century skills that knit our social fabric, placing emphasis on individuals both as citizens and workers. Building inclusive societies also means taking into consideration what role education plays in opening up employment opportunities. As MEP Andrey Novakov reminded, if it is Europe’s success story, it is also because “one out of three participants in an Erasmus exchange has got quality job. There is no national initiative that is so effective in tackling youth unemployment.” Yet in spite of existing frameworks, possibilities are unevenly distributed among citizens. “Only 1% citizens go abroad for vocational training,” said Felix Horne from DG EMPL. In light of the New Skills Agenda for Europe and if our aim is to upgrade skills for XXI Century needs, he called for a stronger “support to the validation of skills acquired by learners, including apprentices”, as incentive to participate in valuable mobility programmes. Tackling the issue of skills upgrading has become of paramount importance for Europe in dealing with the high unemployment rates many of its Member States face. Linking education to socio-economic considerations, discussions tackled the issue of “Flexible learning pathways”, as means to ensure the broadest possible access to education in order to allow citizens adapt to new realities, which so many are still the victims of, being left behind due to obsolete or inappropriate skills. This critical point was also pointed out by Jill Peiffer, Director of EPOS, during the Erasmus+ Debate on 10 October, suggesting “adult education be separated from vocational and education training in light of the broader role it has to play.” Unfortunately, as stated by MEP Teresa Cachia, “many Member States do not understand the added-value lifelong learning gives to our societies. Lifelong learning gives you the potential to better your life, to find employment, but also to interact within your community and with others.” This reality was made clear in one of the main and overarching events of the week on the use of education to ensure integration of refugees and migrants. Indeed, “we do not need to always invent new policies: we just need to get things done and implement and use what we already know,” said Michael Teutsch from DG EAC. Civil society organisations are a partner in this call. Working with institutions, they support the adequate policy implementation. However, their field experience also gives them insight into what changes are really needed, and what fails in the current paradigm. As reminded by LLLPlatform President David Lopez, “the rise of populism and negative forces that are against EU values is unfortunately today’s reality. But European civil society is pushing back and striving for a more inclusive Europe! The LLLWeek was also a moment of getting together to celebrate the contributions of grassroot organisations in achieving these goals. The three laureats of the LLLAwards2016 were awarded during the joint ceremony with European Youth Forum and other ten practices were highlighted as inspiring and upscaling opportunities. As stated by one of the laureates, “we experienced in trainings and empowerment programs how people develop intrinsic motivation for becoming active, how creatively they start to deal with complex situations.” This is the power of lifelong learning. The week ended with an intercultural quiz night and the launch of the SDG Watch Europe Alliance, opened by EU Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans. Within this new network, the Platform furthers its commitment, under the Sustainable Development Goal 4, to promote access and quality education for all and ensure a lifelong learning approach to education. Akin the SDG, lifelong learning is “a tool to help break down silos and avoid short term thinking.” Did you participate in the LLLWeek2016? Help us improve our work by answering our LLLWeek Evaluation Survey! Event Documents in Open Access: Action Plan on the integration of third country nationals, Michael Teutsch, European Commission Slovakian Presidency actions for the integration of third country nationals through education, Ildiko Pathova, Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic Education to Human rights, Evgenia Khoroltseva, Human Rights Academy Norway Eurydice overview of education policy developments in Europe following the Paris Declaration of 17 March 2015, Sogol Noorani, Education and Youth Policy Analysis, EACEA Becoming an active citizen, Nektaria Palaiologou, International Association for Intercultural Education (IAIE), School of Education, University of Western Macedonia Intercultural and Citizenship Education, Elisa Briga, EFIL Coloured Glasses: Intercultural and Global Citizenship Education Workshops, Brian Jurczik-Arnold, EEE-YFU General Report, Earlall DoubleCup, Dick Eriksson, Director Business Relations, City of Trollhättan, Region Västra Götaland Labour market and Integration, Fredrik Adolfsson, Director of Regional Development, Region Västra Götaland It starts with language: language coaching in the Netherlands, Eline Dragt Labour market integration in Stuttgart, Gari Pavkovic, Commissioner for Integration, City of Stuttgart Education Campus: Intergrating young Refugees in Stuttgart,Community Foundation Stuttgart Challenges and solutions with the work of integration, Jan Elftorp,Director of Labourmarket and Adult EducationCity of Gothenburg #Recognise Study Abroad: Raising awareness on the recognition of the pupils’ study abroad periods, Campaign presentation Scout reaching out: How we try to include the excluded,Hans Van Kerckhove Scouts en Gidsen Vlaanderen Don Bosco International Initiatives, Angel Gudiña,Don Bosco International Reaching Out: A Local Guiding Approach, Zahra Clarke-Johnney, Europe Region WAGGGS Diversity Task Force Member Life changing adventure, Matina Loizou, UK Scout Association

On 26 April 2016 the Erasmus+ coalition first meeting took place in Brussels. Co-organised by the Lifelong Learning Platform and the European Youth Forum this coalition aims to contribute to policy debates related to the current Erasmus+ programme revision as well as the MFF Mid Term Review and the next Generation of EU programmes. Bringing together more than 20 European NGOs working in education, training and youth, the meeting was an occasion to raise our concerns regarding the important role played by civil society in building a fairer and more democratic Europe and in realizing the objectives of the Erasmus+ programme. Among other decisions, the group will work on a joint proposal to solve the “Brussels case” – a problematic situation for Brussels-based European NGOs who have to apply in Belgium to get support for their strategic partnerships (KA2). Read the latest LLLPLatform position “Implementing Erasmus+ better”.

On 28 May 2014 EUCIS-LLL launched a broad public consultation on the new Erasmus+ programme. On 25 June 2014, we received 52 responses from which we based the following report. The results were presented and discussed with EUCIS-LLL members and partners, the European Commission and the EACEA on 30 June 2014. Read the Erasmus+ Survey 2014!

The Erasmus+ programme is a unique funding opportunity and a great step forward to modernise education policies at the local, national and European level. To embrace its full potential, the LLLPlatform believes that the programme could benefit from more clarity, a stronger lifelong learning approach and a fairer budget distribution, in order to have a greater added value. Moreover, policy development and civil society cooperation should be better supported in order to increase its policy impact and relevance. Considered to be one of the success stories of the European construction, the programme and its successor require a bigger investment from EU Member States to broaden its positive impact. We thus strongly call for a set of adjustments on the Erasmus+ programme to improve its efficiency as well as for a stronger and more ambitious programme for 2020 building on the success of its predecessors. Read our position paper.

After the success of its 2014 broad public consultation, the Lifelong Learning Platform launched its 2015 Erasmus+ implementation survey on the 3rd of July. The purpose of this year’s survey was to evaluate how beneficiaries experienced the 2nd round of applications of the Erasmus+ programme. The consultation was closed on the 15th of September after having received 275 answers. This year the survey was published in four languages (English, German, French and Spanish) in order to target the widest audience as possible. The following report presents an exhaustive review of the respondents’ assessment of Erasmus+ Programme implementation in 2015. The beneficiaries particularly appreciate that the objectives and selection criteria of the Programme are relevant, the simplified architecture of the Programme and the use of lump sums. However some figures are striking such as the fact that only 6% of respondents believe that the rules are applied in a harmonised way across National Agencies, that the Programme Guide lacks clarity on important aspects such as the Intellectual Outputs or that the calculation of flat rates could be adjusted. The Lifelong Learning Platform hopes these results will guide decision-makers in finding solutions to improve a programme that is considered for many of our citizens as a success story of the European construction. The results show how beneficiaries of the Programme value the Erasmus+ as a great opportunity to work with their peers’ across Europe! The results were presented at our Launch Event, held during the LLL Week, on 30 November 2015. Read the Erasmus+ Survey Report!