On 28 November 2016 the Federation and the Länder officially launched the National Decade for Literacy and Basic Education 2016 to 2026 (Nationale Dekade für Alphabetisierung und Grundbildung 2016 bis 2026). The National Decade builds on the findings and results of the National Strategy for Literacy and Basic Education of Adults (Nationale Strategie für Alphabetisierung und Grundbildung Erwachsener) and is designed to raise reading and writing competences as well as the level of basic education of adults in Germany.

An increase of participation rates in relevant educational measures is perceived as a central factor for success. Furthermore, the expansion of research in this field is an essential component of the National Decade. The causes and distribution of functional illiteracy shall be investigated in depth in order to implement preventive measures. These and other recommendations for action were agreed in a statement of principle by all stakeholders, which was unanimously resolved by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder (Kultusministerkonferenz).

As a broad social alliance, the strategy includes, among others, the local authorities (Kommunen), trade unions, churches, the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) and Volkshochschule associations.

Source: German Eurydice Unit