Page 46 - PR5_Toolkit_EN

A key component of the Flemish recovery strategy published in 2021 is the adult education. The goal
of Flanders' "Edusprong for adults: adult education reinforced" strategy plan is to increase adult
education and make it even more essential to the region's social mobility. Flanders has set aside 60

million euros for retraining, further training, and certifications that will assist solve structural issues
and help clear the backlog of adult education brought on by the health crisis. The plan's aims to
develop digital competencies, to address young unemployment and diversify labour market
3
opportunities. Edusprong aspires to establish adult education in Flanders as a powerful and
recognisable brand with links to other training providers and the job market. This strategy was
created and will be carried out in cooperation with Syntra, the state employment service of Flanders
4
(VDAB), and other partners as part of a long-term vision on lifelong learning.

Why is relevant for adult educators and adult education centers?

Why this case study is a success / best practice?

A Belgian citizen may enrol in adult education if they are at least 18 years old or older and have
finished their full-time compulsory schooling. Adult education and adult training have their separate

place in Flanders.

In addition to formal learning programmes, Belgian adult training encompasses all non-formal and
informal learning opportunities for adults. It is a more comprehensive notion than adult education.
It includes adult education courses as well as those run by the Flemish Agency for Entrepreneurial
Training, the Flemish Employment Services and Vocational Training Agency, the employment 46
sectors, socio-cultural groups, private institutions, etc. Adult training is sometimes referred to as
"lifelong learning" and "continuing education."

5.21 BULGARIA

Bulgarian Adult Educations Associations

One of the biggest networks of associations engaged in adult education is the Association "Znanie"
which is part of the "Federation of Associations for the Dissemination of Knowledge." It unites thirty
local associations. A vast array of courses, seminars, and other educational activities are offered by
the Federation and its member societies in subjects like computer literacy, foreign languages,
business, accounting, banking, agriculture, tourism, culture, retraining, certification programmes,
vocational training, and in-service training for educators. There are also planned courses in civil
service, environmental preservation, human rights, etc. Another network is formed by science and

technology unions. They are unified under the Federation of Scientific and Technical Unions, a
shared federation. Members of this Association and its affiliates include academics, technicians,

3 Adult education and training (europa.eu)

4 OECD (2022), Education at a Glance 2022: OECD Indicators, OECD Publishing, Paris,
https://dx.doi.org/10.1787/69096873-en.