International Adult Learners Week
in Europe

Network of Learning festivals

The Network's holistic concept for cooperation

Why the focus on cooperation?

Adult and lifelong learning takes place in many different contexts of life, during different periods in life, using many different types of learning approaches. Therefore, the range of providers of formal, non-formal and informal adult learning and of agencies and organizations with a special interest in adult learning is very diverse. This wide range includes “classical” public and private education providers and local, regional and national governments as well as museums, libraries, trade unions, media and a diversity of smaller or larger special interest groups. From the perspective of learning societies, all these actors are considered to be partners.

Thus, when planning for and establishing a learning festival/ALW, the widest possible cooperation of as many of the above partners is absolute key. At the same time, the sustainability of partnerships needs to be ensured. Form the perspective of the IntALWinE partners, this could be called a “holistic model of cooperation”. A holistic model of cooperation is also essential to encourage greater collaboration and a culture of cooperation between the formal sector of education and training and non-formal and informal learning providers - with advantages for both sides.

What results will a holistic cooperation model bring?

Several points are worth consideration in relation to this:

  • Partnerships in the field of adult and lifelong learning are one of the crucial tools when aiming to communicate the importance and pleasure of lifelong learning to a wide range of target groups and to reach potential learners.
  • Partnerships and networks allow learners access to information on learning and to learning opportunities.
  • Creating support structures and synergizing resources through partnerships, both materially as well as when it comes to generating innovations, is one of the central objectives in an area where resources are chronically scarce.
  • The creation of sustainable local or regional networks on the basis of partnerships can be very useful when it comes to the formulation of lifelong-learning policies.

The following list of examples will illustrate some of the tangible and practical benefits of cooperation and partnerships in the implementation of learning festivals – and beyond:

  • A common product such as a web-site;
  • Common activities such as an education fair;
  • A better presentation of learning opportunities and an enhanced uptake by learners;
  • The creation of networks of lifelong learning which can serve any other project-related activities;
  • Involvement and commitment of employers to encourage their employees to take part in further education and lifelong learning;
  • Increased media involvement in adult learning and, as a result, a better profile/awareness of adult learning;
  • More influence in the formulation and implementation of learning policies (in particular at local level);
  • A longer-term sustainability of the learning festival/ALW;
  • The recognition of the learning festival as a tool for attaining greater objectives regarding educational policies, as well as the socio-economic development at national and European levels.

How can a holistic cooperation model be implemented?

In order to illustrate how a holistic model of cooperation might look like on the ground, this section is structured according to the main function of the various cooperation partners of a learning festival/ALW. They are grouped as:

  • Potential organizers of events during a learning festival/ALW,
  • Authorities/governing bodies at different levels,
  • Sponsors and supporters,
  • Media, and
  • Adult learners.

For each group of cooperation partners, a list of who they actually might be is indicated. You will find some guidance on how these different partners might be approached and involved, and how the partnerships can be made sustainable. This is done through a set of General and Strategic Recommendations, followed by Examples and Ideas already applied in the partner countries of IntALWinE.