Adults Literacies as Benefit for Inclusion and Equity Erasmus Project

Project Title

Adults Literacies as Benefit for Inclusion and Equity

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Inclusion – equity; Research and innovation; Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) – basic skills

Project Summary

Project Adults Literacies as Benefit to Inclusion and Equity – ALBIE builds on crucial role of social returns of educational investments as increased ability of adults to adapt to societal changes and to labour market. Previous researches in this topic demonstrate relationship between the level of functional literacy of adults and the quality of their life. Indicated low literacy level together with social inequalities make adults more vulnerable to equally participate in labour market and in lifelong learning. Therefore, the project focuses on possibilities to increase the functional literacy of young adults, who, based on results of international measurements, belong to the most vulnerable group. Improvement of functional literacy will positively influence the quality of their lives. In this context, adult education can contribute to social inclusion and equity. The project aims at offering new educational approaches and sustainable solutions towards inclusion and equity of adults in education and thus strengthening social cohesion and prosperity in society. Specific aims of ALBIE project were:
1. To deepen scientific knowledge on the relation of functional literacy of adults and non-economic impact on the quality of their lives.
2. To develop and to test educational approaches to support the development of functional literacy of young adults in non formal education.
3. To process a set of recommendations for policy makers and practitioners, applicable in the improvement of functional literacy and of competencies for lifelong learning.
Big disparities persist among European countries in their ability to compensate social inequalities through education systems. The project consortium is built in a way to engage countries with similar results in lower literacy levels among young adults (Slovakia, Poland, Estonia), and countries which education system can compensate educational inequalities more effectively (Iceland). In order to interconnect sectors of formal and non formal education and the theory with the practice effectively, the consortium was established by 5 subjects: 3 Universities – Matej Bel University (Slovakia), Reykjavik University (Iceland) and Pedagogical University (Poland) as strong partners in theory and research of adult education and 2 non-formal adult education NGOs – YouthWatch (Slovakia) and Eesti Vabaharidusliit (Estonia) as partners who helped to transfer theoretical findings into the educational practice with young adults.
The project was focused on target group NEET – young adults outside the education and labour market. In ALBIE project, 7 intellectual outputs were created, 2 multiplier events realized, 3 transnational project meetings and 1 educational activity.

Project activities gradually interlocked. Firstly, the theoretical analysis on functional literacy of adults (NEET) and its impact on their quality of lives were elaborated in each participating country. Subsequently, the field research was realized in Poland, Estonia and Slovakia, which resulted in comparative analysis. It pointed out on specifics in individual countries, but its goal was to know better the skills and needs of young adults NEET and based on that to set up the criteria for the development of educational program for these people. Following, the educational program was developed in universal form, in order to be used, corrected, and adapted as an interactive resource by various adult education lecturers. It consists of framework educational modules, as well as key elements in work with young adults NEET. The program was tested in Slovakia, Poland and Estonia. We get feedback to the finalisation of educational program using the questionnaires for lecturers and participants. Summary of project outcomes and the set of recommendations for educational policy and practice with young adults NEET is processed in final project monograph. Open educational resource functions as an online tool to share the project results, available to wider and professional public.
The main project result is scientific elaboration of the new topic of NEET in participating countries, which brings new findings about socio-demographic characteristics and educational needs of young adults NEET (analysis, research, monograph). It breaks stereotypes about their disengagement and brings innovations into educational approaches towards this heterogeneous group through elaboration and evaluation of educational program. The project also results in mutual learning among partners of formal and non formal education, strengthened innovation capacity of project teams. The project outcomes are formulated as recommendations for policy and practice of adult education (monograph, open educational resource). In long-term, the project has impact on increased young adults NEET´s participation in lifelong learning and in labour market, which promotes more equitable and inclusive society.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 114474 Eur

Project Coordinator

UNIVERZITA MATEJA BELA V BANSKEJ BYSTRICI & Country: SK

Project Partners

• YOUTHWATCH
• EESTI VABAHARIDUSLIIT MTU
• HASKOLINN I REYKJAVIK EHF
• UNIWERSYTET PEDAGOGICZNY IM KOMISJI EDUKACJI NARODOWEJ W KRAKOWIE