European, global and intercultural dimension in curriculum development
The renewal of the Law on Non-formal Adult Education (from 2015 the edited Law on Non-formal Adult Education and Continuing Education) was based on European experience and European Union documents for the education of adults.
In line with the implementation of the Provisions of the National Education Strategy 2013–2022 (2003), financial assistance from the European Union Structural Funds is provided for the development of conditions for lifelong learning.
By implementing the project ‘Facilities for storage of adult education programmes and objects: an e-learning service tool’ funded from the EU Structural Funds, the Education Development Centre developed and introduced a new interactive e-learning service aimed at creating conditions for the widest possible part of the general public to take an active part in continuing education activities. The project aimed to provide opportunities for adult residents of the country to gain access to electronic services of non-formal adult education by way of creating facilities for storage of adult education programmes and objects.
In 2010, the Education Development Centre launched the project ‘Development of the adult education system: provision of general competences to learners’. The project is aimed at developing an overarching adult education system in Lithuania and will enable adult learners to acquire general competences. The project created opportunities for managers and teachers of adult education institutions to improve their professional skills. In addition, innovative content of adult education was introduced alongside increased availability of informational and non-formal adult education services.
This project funded from the EU Structural Funds was in compliance with the key adult education policy priorities specified in the Strategy for Ensuring Lifelong Learning.
The immediate project target group consisted of approximately 2,000 people, including adult learners, adult teachers (andragogues), education managers and members of the administrative staff of adult education institutions. The project results will be available for use by adult education institutions, their staff and other stakeholders.
Partnerships and networks
With the use of instruments for project selection, the Ministry of Education and Science provides funding to projects developed by various organisations (institutions of higher education and research, NGOs, etc.) in the field of non-formal adult education. The significance of projects is determined based on certain criteria related to the context of today‘s Lithuania.
The Lithuanian Association of Adult Education takes active part in adults’ education. The Association implement the project ‘Assurance of the Adult Education Quality’ in 2014. The principal aim of NordPlus project is to develop and improve the quality accreditation system EQM (European Quality Mark) for non-formal adult providers. The project also aims to review and improve the standards and criteria for the accreditation process, the EQM to meet a new set of recommendations for adult education, which provides adult education (learning) Quality Thematic Group in 2013 October. Thematic group was acting as an agent of the Commission of the European Union.
Since 1993, the Lithuanian Association of Adult Education has been a member of the European Adult Education Association (EAEA).