Welcome to the EBSN website

European Basic Skills Network

Who we are
EBSN is a European network bringing together policy makers and key stakeholders to strengthen adults’ basic skills across Europe.
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Our objective
To promote excellence in adult basic skills policy and implementation at European and national level, in a field with major implications for education, employment, social inclusion and active participation in society.
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Why it matters
Across Europe, many adults face barriers in work, learning and everyday life because they lack essential basic skills. EBSN supports stronger cooperation, knowledge exchange and policy development to help address this challenge.

About EBSN

Learn who we are, what we stand for, and how the Network supports cooperation on adult basic skills across Europe.

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Activities & Projects

Explore our policy work, partnerships and projects that connect evidence, practice and European cooperation.

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Membership

Find out how institutions can join EBSN, benefit from membership, and become part of a trusted European network.

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Our Members

Explore the latest activities

Highlighted News & Events

Beyond the Low-Skills Trap: A Joint Policy Strategy by EBSN & EAEA

Beyond the Low-Skills Trap: A Joint Policy Strategy by EBSN & EAEA

In response to the 2024 OECD Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) and stagnating participation rates across Europe, the European Basic Skills Network (EBSN) and the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) launched a sector-wide consultation. The resulting joint policy package shifts the narrative from blaming learners for a "lack of motivation" to addressing ...
Call for Contributions Open: EBSN Annual Conference 2026

Call for Contributions Open: EBSN Annual Conference 2026

We are pleased to announce that the Call for Contributions for the EBSN Annual Conference 2026 is now open. The conference will take place 17–19 June 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal, hosted in cooperation with the Research Center for Linguistics at NOVA University Lisbon (CLUNL). Under the theme “Basic Skills for Life, Work and Democratic Participation in Times of ...
New ELINET blog: Whose literacy needs are not being met?

New ELINET blog: Whose literacy needs are not being met?

A new blog post on ELINET by Aoife Crawford (Research and Policy Officer, National Adult Literacy Agency – NALA, Ireland) explores a crucial question: whose literacy needs remain unmet - and why? The article starts from a striking figure: in Ireland, one in five adults have literacy needs, meaning they score at or below Level 1 (out of five levels) in the OECD Survey of ...
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Insights to everything we do

Explore EBSN

membership

Join a European network of institutions committed to strengthening adult basic skills policy and practice.

Annual Conference

Discover EBSN’s flagship annual event, bringing together policy makers, experts and practitioners from across Europe.

projects

Explore collaborative initiatives and European projects connecting policy, practice and shared learning.

European cooperation

Connecting institutions across countries and sectors.

”MEMBERSHIP”

Policy dialogue

Supporting informed exchange on adult basic skills.

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Peer exchange

Sharing experience, approaches and lessons learned.

Project collaboration

Creating opportunities for joint developments and initiatives.

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