European Basic Skills Network, EBSN

Don’t forget to apply for the LLLAwards 2026 by 31 August 2026!! 🏆

Remember, this year’s theme is and ! 🏅

But what do they mean?
👉Validation: An authorised process confirming specific learning outcomes standards, through: identification, documentation, assessment and certification.
👉Recognition: Can be formal recognition, which accredited bodies grant official status via qualifications like diplomas, or social recognition, where stakeholders acknowledge the value of a person's competencies.

Check all the information on LLLP’s website: https://lllplatform.eu/lllawards

Lifelong Learning Platform

Applications for the LLLAwards 2026 are open until 31 August! 🏆

The Lifelong Learning Platform will award 4 initiatives on the topic of "Reimagining validation and recognition: giving value to all learners, learning, and competences" during the Lifelong Learning Week in November, 2026. 🎖

Check all the details here: https://lllplatform.eu/lllawards

Daniela Ermini, EPALE - Educazione Adulti Italia, reflects on the key messages of the 2026 EBSN Annual Conference in Lisbon. 🇵🇹

The article highlights why basic skills matter not only for work, but also for everyday life, inclusion, dignity and democratic participation.

📃Read the reflection here:

Basic Skills Are Where Europe Becomes Real: Reflections from the 20... Basic Skills Are Where Europe Becomes Real: Reflections from the 2026 EBSN Conference in Lisbon

The 2026 EBSN Annual Conference in Lisbon 🇵🇹 was a great success, bringing together the European basic skills community for meaningful exchange, learning and cooperation.

You can revisit the event through the photo gallery and explore information about the speakers and programme on the conference website. 🖼️👥📃

Visit the conference page:

ebsn annual conference 2026 | Conference EBSN Annual Conference of the EBSN Basic Skills for Life, Work and Democratic Participation in Times of Transformation View the program Join Europe’s leading conference on adult basic skills – connecting policy, research and practice across Europe. 17-19 June 2026 Lisbon, Portugal EBSN in cooperation...

📢 OECD launch event: Low skills, high stakes
The OECD will launch its new PIAAC thematic report, Navigating life with low literacy and numeracy, on 1 July 2026, live from Latvia.

The event will explore why many adults with low literacy and numeracy are also those least likely to access learning opportunities — and what adult learning systems can do to respond more effectively.

For the EBSN community, this is a timely and important discussion. Adult basic skills are essential for participation in work, learning, digital life and society, yet too many adults remain underserved by current systems.

📅 Date: 1 July 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 CEST

🔗 Register here: https://meetoecd1.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_d510oKvlR5mkDaq4QYh_WA #/registration

ℹ️ More information: https://www.izm.gov.lv/lv/oecd-launch-event-low-skills-high-stakes-new-insights-survey-adult-skills

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Low skills, high stakes: New insights from the Survey of Adult Skills / Zemas prasmes, augsti riski: jaunas atziņas no Pieaugušo prasmju pētījuma. After registering, you will receive a confirmation... English version Essential skills help shape opportunities in education, work and daily life. Yet too many adults struggle with low levels of literacy and numeracy. Why are those most in need of training least likely to access it? And how can education and training systems close these skills gaps? In...

The registration deadline for the EBSN Annual Conference 2026 has been extended until 12 June 2026.

📍 Lisbon, Portugal
📅 17–19 June 2026
🧩 Theme: Basic Skills for Life, Work and Democratic Participation in Times of Transformation

There is still time to register and join colleagues from across Europe for exchange, learning and cooperation on adult basic skills.

More information and registration:
https://conference.basicskills.eu/

🧭 New EPALE blog: Guidance as a compass for quality jobs and meaningful lives

A new EPALE blog post explores how lifelong guidance can support adults in navigating changing learning, work and life pathways.

The topic is especially relevant following the launch of Cedefop’s new EU reference framework for lifelong guidance.

For adult basic skills professionals, guidance can help adults identify skills needs, access suitable learning opportunities, build confidence and connect learning with employment, social participation and personal wellbeing.

📖 Read the EPALE - Adult Learning in Europe blog post:
https://epale.ec.europa.eu/en/blog/guidance-compass-quality-jobs-and-meaningful-lives

➡Related Cedefop news:
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/news/cedefop-launches-new-eu-reference-framework-lifelong-guidance

Guidance as a compass for quality jobs and meaningful lives - EPALE... Guidance as a compass for quality jobs and meaningful lives

🎧 EPALE podcast: Navigating literacy in a complex world

What does it mean to be literate in a world shaped by digital platforms, multimodal information and AI tools?

In this EPALE - Adult Learning in Europe podcast episode, Heini Huhtinen speaks with Professor Sari Sulkunen about multiliteracies and the wider set of skills people need to understand, interpret and produce meaning across different contexts.

The conversation is highly relevant for adult basic skills professionals, highlighting why reading and writing remain essential, while critical literacy, digital skills and content knowledge are increasingly important.

Listen to the podcast or read the transcript:
https://epale.ec.europa.eu/en/comment/89723

EPALE Podcast: Navigating Literacy in a Complex World - EPALE - Eur... EPALE Podcast: Navigating Literacy in a Complex World

⏳ Registration deadline approaching: EBSN Conference 2026

The final deadline to register for the EBSN Conference 2026 is 5 June. 🛑📆

Join us in Lisbon from 17 to 19 June for professional exchange on adult basic skills, lifelong learning, inclusion, democratic participation, workplace learning and innovation.

The updated draft programme is now available, including the pre-conference networking and local practice visit linked to Portugal’s Qualifica approach.

More information and programme:
https://conference.basicskills.eu/

Register here:
https://conference.basicskills.eu/registration2026/

📌 Useful resource: Advocacy Toolkit for Adult Education and Literacy

ProLiteracy’s Advocacy Toolkit offers practical strategies for strengthening support for adult literacy and basic skills programmes.

The toolkit shows how organisations can use skills data, clear messaging, learner stories and stakeholder engagement to build a stronger case with policymakers, donors and partners.

Although developed for the United States context, it may also offer useful inspiration for European adult basic skills organisations working to raise awareness and communicate the public value of adult learning.

Explore the toolkit:
https://www.proliteracy.org/resources/advocacy-toolkit/

Related article:
https://www.proliteracy.org/news/the-power-of-adult-literacy-education-to-build-prosperity-and-sustainability/

Advocacy Toolkit - ProLiteracy ProLiteracy's Advocacy Toolkit provides resources and guidance for adult education and literacy programs to advocate with stakeholders, emphasizing state and county advocacy, data utilization, and…