The main objective of the project is to support evidence-based policy development in the field of education and guidance for low-skilled adults and vulnerable target groups and the barriers that prevent them from accessing education, and to support the development and promotion of the concept of lifelong learning culture in the partner countries.
Following the activities and objectives of the project, an international roundtable was held in Bratislava on 18. 03. 2024, where provided key data and recommendations. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the situation in the field of education of low-skilled adults in Slovakia and Portugal.
As an opening to the joint discussion, Slovak experts presented the context of adult education in the EU and in Slovakia. Slovakia has large regional disparities in the quality of life of its population. Among OECD countries, Slovakia has the fourth most significant regional disparities in GDP per capita, which is also reflected in large differences in the accessibility of resources to cover the needs of the individuals living in each region. According to EU and OECD assessments, the problem is also low efficiency and lack of flexibility of public policies in responding to identified challenges, problems and needs, low orientation towards priorities given by the problem situation; public policies are not based on the use of regional potentials, including human and natural capital. Policy makers often lack research data focused on specific areas and there is a lack of established practice of rapid surveys to support decision making.
There are barriers that prevent different population groups in Slovakia from enjoying the full potential and benefits of education. Slovakia has long had one of the lowest participation rates in adult education in the EU (approx. 4%, 2020). The number of early school leavers is growing significantly, especially in some regions of Slovakia (by 4% between 2012 and 2017). Slovakia also has the highest unemployment rate of long-term unemployed in the EU.
The Portuguese participants from EDU.IN at the round table, in Bratislava, were José Fernandes and Miguel Ribeiro Fernandes, and via videoconference, Alexandra Ribeiro and Sofia Cordaro, as well as the following organizations:
- Animar – Associação Portuguesa para o Desenvolvimento Local (Portuguese Association for Local Development), represented by Célia Lavado, is a civic association dedicated to local development and co-operation for development of equal opportunities and improvement of the population’s living conditions, with particular emphasis on promoting the social economy and combating poverty and exclusion of target groups. The association is also involved in drawing up regional development policies.
- Rede DLBC Lisboa – Rede de Desenvolvimento Local de Base Comunitária de Lisboa (Lisbon Community-Led Local Development Network), represented by Maria José Domingos, brings together around 200 associations in Lisbon metropolitan area that work with an integrated strategy focused on education, employment and inclusion. The network manages a local development strategy that enables the funding of development projects in conjunction with local organizations in priority social intervention areas and neighborhood’s (BIP/ZIP).
- Barafunda is a cultural and social solidarity youth association located in Benedita, Alcobaça (Portugal center), represented by Isabel Rufino and Sandra Gonzaga. The association runs various activities and coordinates a Qualifica Centre, an official program for adults with incomplete schooling and training. The aim of the Qualifica Program is to increase the level of adult qualifications, contribute to improve the population skills and improve the individual’s employability.
- ARCIL from Lousã (Portugal center), represented by Joana Santos, is a private social solidarity institution dedicated to supporting disable people through education and training, professional rehabilitation and protected employment.
The international roundtable provided a space to receive inputs and share findings from the mapping process with representatives of public administrations, NGOs and other actors in the field of work with low-skilled target groups in both countries.