The PartnerUp Project has successfully concluded, delivering innovative strategies to enhance the implementation of Upskilling Pathways and foster lifelong learning opportunities for adults across Europe. This collaborative initiative aligns with the European Union’s 2016 Recommendation on Upskilling Pathways, which addresses the pressing need to equip individuals with foundational literacy, numeracy, and digital skills, alongside broader competencies that lead to secondary qualifications or their equivalent.
In support of the EU’s 2025 target to raise adult education participation to 47%, the project engaged over 1,000 stakeholders, promoting policy recommendations and collaboration to enhance adult learners’ skills, career prospects, and social participation.
The project addressed challenges faced by adults with low basic skills, such as limited job opportunities, poverty, and reduced societal involvement. It developed strategies to increase participation in adult education through stakeholder engagement, peer learning, and comprehensive analyses to identify gaps and opportunities in education.
Key outcomes include the creation of implementation plans and cooperation mechanisms, ensuring long-term impact in the field of adult learning.
Key Activities and Achievements
- Stakeholder Analysis Reports
The project began with in-depth research to identify gaps and opportunities in adult education across partner countries. Over 760 stakeholders were involved in consultations, peer learning activities, and analysis, including policymakers, educators, and community leaders. These reports shed light on the challenges faced by adults with low qualifications and highlighted best practices to support their inclusion in learning opportunities. Effective strategies for reaching and engaging underserved groups were identified, ensuring that no one was left behind. - Development Groups
A series of consultations from 7 partner EU countries, known as Development Groups, brought together stakeholders from policymaking, education, and community organizations. These discussions fostered trust and collaboration, leading to improved approaches for implementing Upskilling Pathways and ensuring adult learners received the necessary support to advance their skills and qualifications. - Implementation Plans & Road Maps
Based on insights of the stakeholder analyses and Development Groups from 7 partner countries and the EU level, the project developed strategic roadmaps to establish innovative cooperation mechanisms. These Implementation Plans aim to sustain the impact of project activities, promoting long-term engagement in adult learning and ensuring the continued success of Upskilling Pathways. - Study Visits and Peer Learning Activities
PartnerUp organized 8 study visits (face-to-face & online) and peer learning sessions, to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices among partner countries, in which more than 200 participants got engaged. These activities provided valuable insights into effective strategies for engaging adult learners and fostered stronger relationships among stakeholders, promoting shared solutions to common challenges. - The Virtual Map
A major achievement of the project is the creation of the Virtual Map, an interactive online repository containing project findings, reports, and summaries. Accessible via each partner country’s flag, this tool offers stakeholders and policymakers a wealth of resources to enhance adult learning across Europe. Explore the Virtual Map at partnerup-project.eu/virtual-map/
A Collaborative Effort Across Europe
The success of PartnerUp was made possible through the collaboration of a diverse consortium of organizations across Europe, including:
- European Association for the Education of Adults (Belgium)
- CARDET (Cyprus)
- Latvian Adult Education Association & State Education Development Agency (Latvia)
- AONTAS (Ireland)
- European University Continuing Education Network (Belgium)
- Agency for Vocational Education & Training and Adult Education Institution Dante (Croatia)
- ASOCIATIA EURO ADULT EDUCATION (Romania)
- Hellenic Adult Education Association (Greece)
- FORMA.Azione (Italy)
Through cross-border collaboration and actionable strategies, PartnerUp contributed significantly to the implementation of Upskilling Pathways, reinforcing key priorities of the European Skills Agenda and the Renewed Agenda for Adult Learning. This initiative has laid a solid foundation for inclusive, lifelong learning systems that empower adult learners across Europe.
