From 19 to 21 May 2025, the Regional Youth Academy on Adult Learning and Education (ALE) gathered 20 young professionals in Istanbul for a dynamic three-day training. The event was jointly organized by DVV International’s Continental Exchange project ‘Europe’ and the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA), with the shared goal of strengthening youth engagement in shaping inclusive ALE systems across Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.
Participants came from six countries – Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, and Ukraine – and represented a wide spectrum of civil society organizations such as ALE centers, networks, associations, and platforms. Carefully selected based on their commitment to civil society and their professional roles in non-formal education, advocacy, communication, or policymaking, participants ranged in age from 20 to 30 and embodied the growing momentum behind youth involvement in lifelong learning.
Objectives and Learning Focus
The Academy was designed to enhance participants’ understanding of core ALE concepts while nurturing their ability to contribute meaningfully to policy and practice. The program served as a foundational introduction to the history, values, and contemporary relevance of Adult Learning and Education, including its linkages with EU frameworks and lifelong learning policies.
Through a combination of expert-led inputs, collaborative group work, and participatory methods, the Academy provided space for exploring:
- Key definitions and dimensions of ALE
- The historical evolution of ALE and its policy relevance
- Differences and interlinkages between Adult Education and Lifelong Learning
- Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy and its application in ALE
- Adult learning theories and methodologies
- Power dynamics in ALE governance and stakeholder ecosystems
- European policy trends and funding priorities in the ALE field
Expert Facilitation and Engaging Methodology
The training was delivered over 2.5 days by a team of three international experts:
- Angeliki Giannakopoulou led the first day, guiding participants through foundational concepts and facilitating rich discussions on non-formal ALE through Paulo Freire’s lens. Interactive tools such as Mentimeter were used to collect real-time input and foster reflection.
- Katarina Popović opened the second day with a case study from Serbia, introducing practical examples of ALE implementation. Her sessions delved into adult learning methodologies, concluding with a powerful role-play exercise simulating policy influence and stakeholder negotiations in ALE.
- Greta Pelucco moderated the third day, presenting recent trends in ALE policy at the European level and engaging participants in a final reflective exercise that connected the training content to their own contexts and professional priorities.
In addition to the sessions, participants enjoyed a cultural visit to three landmarks in Istanbul, offering a space for informal exchange and cross-cultural dialogue.
Reflections, Impact, and Outlook
The Academy created a space for active exchange, peer learning, and critical reflection. By using participatory methods—group work, individual assignments, and experiential exercises—the training successfully engaged young professionals and fostered a deeper commitment to ALE’s role in inclusive and democratic development.
The event also laid the groundwork for building a transnational network of youth professionals dedicated to advancing ALE. While no immediate follow-up activities were scheduled, the energy and exchanges during the Academy suggest a strong potential for continued collaboration and peer support across borders.