Dedicated to adult basic skills for growth, jobs, and citizenship; advancing European and national policies that drive inclusion and sustainable progress.
The EBSN’s vision is to make sure that all adults in Europe have the appropriate level of basic skills to access to lifelong learning, ensure their employability and be active citizens. The network’s main role is to contribute to better policy and practice; by benchmarking national policy and effects; exchanging examples of promising policy and practice at national or regional level; creating a co
04/06/2026
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/
04/06/2026
🧭 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
02/06/2026
🎧 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
30/05/2026
⏳ 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/
28/05/2026
📌 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…
28/05/2026
📣Reminder: EPALE online discussion today at 10:00 CEST
Rethinking Libraries as Innovative Learning Spaces - EPALE - Europe... Rethinking Libraries as Innovative Learning Spaces
27/05/2026
📚 Reminder: EPALE discussion tomorrow
Join the EPALE - Adult Learning in Europe discussion “Rethinking Libraries as Innovative Learning Spaces” on 28 May, 10:00–16:00 CEST.
The discussion will explore how libraries can support adult learning as accessible, community-based and innovative learning spaces.
It will begin with a livestream interview introducing two inspiring initiatives: A Library of Life, Love and Loss and the Human Library.
Join the discussion:
https://epale.ec.europa.eu/en/discussions/rethinking-libraries-innovative-learning-spaces
Rethinking Libraries as Innovative Learning Spaces - EPALE - Europe... Rethinking Libraries as Innovative Learning Spaces
26/05/2026
📢 The updated draft programme of the EBSN Conference 2026 is now available.
The programme offers an overview of the key sessions, themes and opportunities for exchange that will shape this year’s conference in Lisbon.
It also includes a pre-conference networking and local practice visit linked to Portugal’s Qualifica approach to adult learning, guidance, validation and lifelong learning pathways.
🛑📆 Registration is open until 5 June 2026.
More information and programme:
https://conference.basicskills.eu/
Register here:
https://conference.basicskills.eu/registration2026/
25/05/2026
💡 Webinar tomorrow: Research Meets Practice #5
The Lifelong Learning Platform invites participants to the next webinar in its Research Meets Practice series on 26 May 2026, 10:00–11:00 CEST.
The session will focus on workplace learning, organisational knowledge creation and learning innovation, exploring how lifelong learning can support human capability for the future economy.
The webinar will feature Prof. Wing On Lee and offer research-based insights for professionals working in adult and lifelong learning.
Register here:
https://www.lllplatform.eu/event-details/research-meets-practice-5
Research Meets Practice #5 | LLLPlatform The fifth episode of the series will tackle workplace Learning, organizational knowledge creation, and learning innovation to build human capability for future economy.
22/05/2026
The countdown is on for the EBSN Annual Conference 2026 in Lisbon! ⏳⏱️
From 17 to 19 June 2026, colleagues from across Europe 🌍 will come together to exchange ideas, experiences and practical approaches on how adult basic skills can support people’s lives, work and democratic participation in times of transformation.
The programme is taking shape and will include inspiring discussions, parallel sessions, panels and opportunities to connect with others working in adult learning and basic skills. Participants can also join the pre-conference programme, including a proposed visit to a Portuguese Qualifica Centre.
This will be a valuable opportunity to meet peers from policy, research and practice, learn from different European contexts, and be part of the EBSN community in Lisbon. 🇵🇹
Registration is open:
https://conference.basicskills.eu/
We look forward to welcoming you in June!