In March 2026, EBSN and the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) published a joint policy package responding to recent evidence on adult skills and participation in adult learning.
The policy package, entitled “Beyond the Low-Skills Trap”, builds on consultation with EBSN and EAEA members and brings together policy reflections, member feedback and examples of practice from across Europe. It argues that low participation in adult learning should not be understood simply as a question of individual motivation. Instead, it points to structural challenges linked to relevance, access, pathways, governance, funding and professionalisation.
The joint position highlights the need for adult learning systems that are more relevant to learners’ lives, more accessible through community-based and flexible provision, and more sustainably supported through long-term policy and funding frameworks. It also underlines emerging priorities such as AI and democratic literacy, ageing societies, learning cities and the role of adult basic skills in supporting participation and inclusion.
As EBSN prepares for its Annual Conference and General Assembly in Lisbon, the policy package remains an important reference point for European discussion on adult basic skills, lifelong learning and the future development of adult learning systems.
The package includes a Joint Position Paper, a Consultation Report and an Annex presenting good practices, projects and resources contributed by members and partner organisations. Together, these documents provide a practical resource for advocacy, policy dialogue and cooperation at European and national level.
