"European Agenda for Adult Learning highlights the need to significantly increase adult participation in formal, non-formal and informal learning whether to acquire work skills, for active citizenship, or for personal development and fulfilment. The Agenda outlines a vision of how adult learning should develop in Europe by 2020 and sets the following specific priorities for the years 2015 – 2020, including effective outreach, guidance and motivation strategies to reach and assist adult learners. One of the most pressing challenges for Latvia is strengthening its competitiveness to increase prosperity by reducing the productivity gap with other developed economies, while addressing the impact of the economy on climate (environmental) change, ensuring equal education possibilities in all regions of Latvia. One of the main lines of action is investing in growth of human capital in all levels and increasing business efficiency. Information Report on the Proposal for the National Development Plan 2021-2027 objectives, priorities and lines of action, stress the ""Changing Paradigm and habits - the Way to Development"", which means that many obstacles to development, including our attitudes, habits and thinking need to be changed - both in terms of environment, work, education and collaboration with peers. We want to increase the number of inhabitants who learns and make informed decissions conected to economic, financial and environmental questions. We want to activate local governments to invest in education and awareness of our people, focusing on the educational needs on different target groups - the socially vulnerable and socially and economically active persons and to capacity building for SMEs, to show the upcoming needs of digital-literacy expressed by enterprises, public bodies and, more in general, by the local labour market. We will achieve this goal by giving possibility to learn and exchange good practices, tools and methods of local authorities in different countries to support adult education and raise knowledge and awareness of their citizens, entrepreneurs and employees. Learning, discussions and exchange of experience will be organized for staff and adult educators of partner organizations, which will get selfconficdence and knowledge to lobby AE in local municipalities. In multiplyer events and in electronic way to local municipalities and to other interested stakeholders the project results will be disseminated. Project partners are convinced that the transnational cooperation between them will enhance activities of municipalities, develop an innovative approaches, build new networks, improve methods of work, transfer good practices and a new perspectives and increase the number of inhabitants who learns and make informed decisions.Target groups are staff of local governments, Adult Education Associations and adult education providers.Objectives are:1.Familiarize participants with tools, techniques and approaches of good practice examples of municipalities support to adult education; 2. Increase participants’ knowledge and understanding of the role of non formal education, about effective approaches to adult education development and different possibilities of local municipalities to support adult education;3. Facilitate the sharing of diverse experiences of partner Countries involved in adult education;4. Improve the cultural intelligence of participants;5. Improve the confidence of adult educators to lobby support to adult education;6. Promote cooperation and partnership among local municipalities and adult educators from different European Countries to further embed the European Dimension."

Youth unemployment is still a hot problematic European topic. On the other hand we have and especially young people have to face job and training markets that are more and more confusing referring to job offers and opportunities and also to required skills and competences that young people have to bring with them. Life makes demands and offers a lot of opportunities at the same time. So, youngsters feel overstrained and it becomes difficult for them to orientate themselves, find the right place and develop their own identity and personality. That makes it also difficult for them to generate an idea of their future life and in particular their professional life. However there are people who are working with youngsters all over Europe. They are social workers, educators, pedagogues, vocational counsellors, helpers for youngsters with special needs or heritage, volunteers of institutions and associations that work with youngsters etc. They have the task to support and to attend to young people by orientating and planning their professional way and life. But they have just little methods and tools to motivate and support young people individual and appropriate. Furthermore the different kinds of professionals are not enough networking to exchange and combine their different action strategies for a better support of young people. Therefore we started with this project to increase the vocational and social pedagogical competences of these professionals by concentrating on their existing competences. Furthermore we enabled and encouraged them to develop local cooperation systems for the support of young people from the age of 13 years on – pupils, unemployed young people, disadvantaged and disabled youngsters – to offer them assistance that includes their entire living environment on their way to a satisfying occupational and social life. We are a project consortium of 4 European project partners from Germany, Spain, Latvia and Bulgaria. We are experienced in implementing regional and international projects for and with youngsters. In this project „Work on it!“ we worked and cooperated with more than 40 local practice partners in the field of youth work from the partner countries .Methodically we relied on an intensive, cooperative and democratic teamwork with our practice partners. We determined different methods, tools and good practices, that our practice partners and target group implement in their daily work with youngsters and that are useful to support young people on their way to a suitable profession. The collection of methods and tools is the base for a handbook that should help our target group to increase their professionalism and methodical competence. We developed the handbook together with our practice partners who provided the methods and tools, tested the handbook and gave feedback for a final usable version. Also networking, exchange and cooperation between the different practice partners and stakeholders on regional and international level increased pedagogical and methodical competences. In two learning activities based on a curriculum developed during the project and also druring the multiplier events they learned together and from each other. All project outputs are available in English and in the languages of the partner countries. In this way they can be used by many stakeholders in Europe. The close cooperation with our target group during the project offers the possibility to stablish longer-term relationships beyond the project. That will lead to local network systems to support young people. And it would also result in a further development of the project outputs. In this context we plan to offer regional opportunities for further education for professionals and volunteers of youth work on the base of the curriculum. And furthermore we will offer international workshops on that topic to exploit the project results and outputs on a European level.

Approximately 90% of jobs today require some level of digital skills and the Renewed European Agenda for Adult Learning and the Upskilling Pathways Initiative recommend adult education provision is strengthened to improve the digital skills of many millions of low-skilled or low-qualified adults who are most vulnerable in the labour market. However, even in 2020, a digital gender gap persists across Europe - “gender inequality in the digital sphere is a result of the persistence of strong unconscious biases about what is appropriate and what capacities each gender has, as well as about the technologies themselves.” Women, especially those from migrant backgrounds, face higher levels of gender stereotypes and discrimination which reduce their motivation and access to the digital training. Teach Digital thus has a clear objective: increase the ability and motivation of educators working with low-skilled, low-qualified women from migrant and ethnic minority backgrounds to use cultural and gender appropriate learning strategies and digital tools in order to make learning digital more attractive, relevant and boost their professional and personal development.The project focuses on 3 target groups:I) Adult education teachers and volunteers, especially those working in non-profit organisations.II) Adult education organisations/stakeholders who need the vision and tools to support educators in implementing innovative teaching strategies within their organisations. III)Migrant&ethnic minority women who need greater motivation to participate and complete digital skills training to boost employability skills.IO1 TEACH DIGITAL TOOLBOX- a publication that introduces the main tenets of andragogy for adult education to educators (the TEACH part of the toolbox), including teaching strategies and case studies proven to be particularly effective in working with women from a migrant & EM background. Secondly, up to date research and case studies on the use and value of digital tools in Adult Ed (the DIGITAL part of the toolbox), incorporating a guide on 10 free tools/apps most useful for adult education, highlighting their strengths & andragogic strategies. IO2 DIGITAL ROUTE FINDER:This interactive, online tool will present indicators of digital competences in easy-to-understand language with clear illustrations, thus helping migrant/EM women to identify their current level of digital competence in each of the five DigComp areas. Adult educators will be able to use the tool in online and blended formats, and results will be presented visually. As a result, participants can acknowledge their relative strengths& weaknesses and thus understand their “path” to improved digital competence, and adult educators can create a path through the subsequent resources that tailors their activities to suit groups’ specific needs. IO3 ESSENTIAL DIGITAL SKILLS FOR EMPLOYMENT OERS: will be a focused yet flexible set of OERs which adapt existing best practice in women’s andragogy for use with migrant & EM women in adult education settings. Resources will include andragogic guides to help adult educators use innovative approaches that are true to the principles of adult education (group work, experiential learning, problem centred) & ready-to-use activities which reflect migrant & ethnic women’s areas of interest, & are thus more likely to ensure higher engagement & completion rates. The OERS will be organised around the five main digital competence areas (as outlined in DigComp) & signal an approximate level in relation to the eight proficiency levels (Digcomp 2.1):Through our rigorous user testing & dissemination process, the project will then produce the following results within its lifespan:a. 240 adult education orgs & at least 480 adult educators will download/access the (IO1 Teach Digital Toolbox) They will better understand the gender gap in digital skills’ development for adult female learners from migrant & ethnic backgrounds &adapt their teaching approaches &activities to reflect the unique gender &cultural challenges these women face. b. At least 400 women from a migrant or ethnic minority background undertake the Digital Route Finder, determining their level of digital competence in the 5 DigComp areas & mapping their route to improved digital competence.b. 36 adult educators implement the IO3 OERs with 120 migrant & ethnic minority women, building their digital competences across five key areas.Over time & as the outputs continue to be introduced & implemented in participating countries and further afield, Teach Digital will create lasting impact:a. 1000s of migrant and EM women will gain the knowledge and skills they need to engage proactively with digital technology & broaden their digital skills, helping them access improved employment opportunities.b. 100s of adult educators and orgs will be better equipped to address the risks & opportunities of digitalization, providing higher quality education.

<< Background >>Our project EDUCATE is designed to support adult education organisations in 6 countries (LT, LV, GR, IT, HU, TR) and across Europe in their efforts to deliver inclusive education, especially in the field of digital literacy, which is crucial for the employability of their target groups. This will be achieved both through providing with useful and accessible materials, which they can immediately introduce to their work (in the face of the EDUCATE Sustainability & Monitoring toolkit) and through the creation of a network of adult educators, which exchanges best practices (certified according to a specific set of criteria to be developed) and fosters cooperation (through the EDUCATE Interactive hub).Adult education is a key tool for boosting economic, as well as personal growth, and is an indispensable tool for improving the lives of disadvantaged people and reducing inequalities across the board. Yet, as a 2019 report by the European Association for the Education of Adults shows, countries across Europe are struggling with supporting adult educators in different manners. From low levels of participation (especially in Lithuania), stagnation in the incorporation of innovative practices, to lack of inclusivity and lack of consistency from government policies, adult education providers face numerous hurdles to their effective work. The field now more than ever has the chance and needs its actors to be connected and united in the push for its own transformation, evolution and blossoming.The best approach in transformation of traditional adult education methods is through digitalisation, as well as through efforts, which ensure sustaining and monitoring of constant high quality. Improving digital literacy means proactively using or addressing digital media and technology in education, which ensures inclusiveness for adult learners, what is more it contributes indirectly to the development of their digital competencies. Digital technology has implications for adult literacy; therefore, it is essential to adapt how and what adults learn.Alongside the opportunities that digital adult education offers, there is also a lack of confidence, competence, strategic planning and investment to enable the lifelong learning sector to fully embrace these developments. For that reason, EDUCATE aims to increase capacity of the adult education sector to engage with these two areas through recognition, connection, and useful practical materials. EDUCATE also creates opportunities to raise the profile of and showcase the value of digital adult education, aimed at adult learners with no general skills, low qualifications, or other disadvantaged groups.<< Objectives >>EDUCATE aims to promote quality adult education through supporting open and innovative practices in a digital era. The project objectives could be summarised as follows:– Share certification and guidance for high-quality adult education practice across Europe leading to improved practice and innovation within the European lifelong learning community;– Create effective opportunities for connection, collaboration and mutual learning between adult educators;– Build capacity of adult educators to respond to digitalisation through training that meets their needs, based on monitoring and sustainability approach;– Improve planning and development of digital literacy education of high-quality lifelong learning strategies through increasing awareness and digital methodological skills of adult educators and lifelong learning organisations staff for requirements and best practices for practical application;– Raise awareness of digital adult education within the lifelong learning sector and to policy makers and funders nationally and EU-wide.The target groups for the project are:- Adult educators - the main task of EDUCATE will be to benefit this target group. - Adult learners – the project will promote digital literacy of adult learners through educational methods using digital technologies.<< Implementation >>1. EDUCATE Interactive hub2. EDUCATE Certification of quality3. EDUCATE Sustainability & Monitoring toolkit4. Training adult educators<< Results >>The expected outcomes during the EDUCATE implementation and in the conclusive stage can be outlined in two main categories, highlighting both quantitative and qualitative aspects, as follows:Tangible results:1. EDUCATE Interactive hub that includes platform and a co-creation virtual space in 6 partner languages and in English (EN,LT,LV,GR,IT,HU,TR)2. EDUCATE Certification of quality in 6 partner languages and in English (EN,LT,LV,GR,IT,HU,TR)3. EDUCATE Sustainability & Monitoring toolkit in 7 language versions (EN,LT,LV,GR,IT,HU,TR)4. 12 adult educators from partner organisations trained to deliver digital adult education recognised as high-quality to adult learners with no general skills, low qualifications, or other disadvantaged groups (2 from each partner country)5. 120 stakeholders and policy-makers from partner countries will be involved in co-creation process and they will be informed of project results and invited to sustain the EDUCATE Interactive hub through 3 Multiplier events6. 4200 partner staff members, target groups and stakeholders on both national and European levels informed of project results through dissemination activities carried out during the whole project life cycle7. Project social media profiles - Facebook and Instagram accounts for adult learners and the wider public and LinkedIn professional group for adult educators and other relevant practitioners8. 30 info items related to project goals and results, published on the online platform and social media profiles within project lifetime9. Project management documents - Implementation plan, Quality Assurance plan, Risk management strategy, Dissemination and exploitation plan, Interim progress reports, and Final report.10. Other documents - research synthesis reports, visual identity guidelines, events agenda templates, feedback forms, online statistic reports.Intangible results:1. Adult learners will improve their:- awareness of their qualifications and guidance, mentoring, and further opportunities for adult education;- engagement in the social life of their local communities;- recognition of adult education means to increase the engagement of other adult learners from disadvantaged groups and facilitate their participation;- knowledge and skills of digital literacy through the EDUCATE Interactive hub and open-educational materials.2. Adult educators and lifelong learning organisations staff will improve their:- knowledge and skills in delivering digital adult education as innovate practice through the use of digital technology and media to actually engage adult learners from differentcommunities with the aim of personal and professional development;- skills in using digital adult education tools;- skills in planning, designing, and evaluating digital adult education;- motivation and skills to engage in international collaboration work with other adult educators in;- different skills in the field of community-building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive network or adult education initiative.3. Other partners’ staff will improve their:- awareness on planning, designing, and implementing adult education with recognised certification for high quality;- motivation to use the EDUCATE Interactive hub and engage in the project activities.4. Other stakeholders (adult education providers, lifelong learning platforms, mentoring communities) will improve their:- awareness as to the methodological aspects of engagement of adult learners from different communities;- understanding of the benefits of high-quality education for enhancing and facilitating the environment for sustainable lifelong learning organisations across Europe;- cooperation prospects with peer organisations from different countries and sectors.5. National and EU policymakers will improve their:- evidence base to promote, multiply and mainstream high-quality adult education;- understanding of the needs for strategic investment in adult education

CATALYSE (Community Action to Activate Learning your Social Enterprise) is a 24-month adult education initiative designed to empower and equip social entrepreneurs with the skills and confidence to respond to community and business opportunity.Latest European figures indicate that there are up to 160 million people who are members of social economy enterprises and social economy enterprises contribute to the EU’s employment, social cohesion, regional and rural development, environmental protection, consumer protection, agricultural, third countries development, and social security policies. Social enterprises and the communities they reside in are challenged to invent, develop, and manage innovative solutions to address the most pressing societal issues faced. Social enterprise impact on critical social issues is critical: they are constantly trying to create jobs, tackle disadvantage and support community development. It is evident what commercial entrepreneurs contribute to economic development, however, the potential of entrepreneurship in the social sector remains largely underdeveloped. CATALYSE has been formulated to assist existing and future entrepreneurs & adult learners in social enterprise with the capacity to sit within their own communities, large not-for-profit organisations such as charities and voluntary organisations making a further impact often in more than one area e.g. towns and rural areas. Target participants of Catalyse are social entrepreneurs, future social entrepreneurs, social start-ups; adult learners, low skilled/qualified adults, community workers unemployed, early school leavers, disadvantaged minorities and migrants; Adult Education providers and those who deliver Community Services Programs (CSPs), community training, Comprehensive Schools, Community Schools, 4: Social community leaders, Not for Profit, Volunteer and Community Support organisations & 5: Local Support Organisations, local authorities, local development organisations, socio-economic actors, regional skills authorities, local government and wider stakeholders at local government level.The objectives of CATALYSE are to provide social enterprises, their communities and adult education with the resources that will help them add to the social and economic fabric of their communities by way of social impact, to assist existing and future entrepreneurs to gain the skills they need to support community development and develop new and existing innovative solutions to address the entrenched social and environmental challenges they face and to scale and replicate and to build healthier, competitive more inclusive communities where everyone has access to opportunities such as education and jobs. CATALYSE fulfils these objectives through a targeted programme of specialised and complementary activities: 1-Increase awareness, understanding and commitment to social entrepreneurship by evidencing its contribution to social and economic development, through the production and dissemination of a Social Enterprise Guide with examples of best in class experts spanning across the private, non-profit, community and public sector social enterprises, 2- Strengthen the capacity of community-serving organisations to teach social entrepreneurship through multilingual OER’s targeted at Adult Education Providers and 3-maximise the number of adult learners by sharing the model via an online course and interactive platform. The project realises that social enterprises and communities do not just need resources to solve their social challenges but need new ideas, be able to create their own ideas, then test, evaluate and develop them. This will drive their entrepreneurship and create new products, services and eradicate inefficiencies. The above resources will help them to increase their social impact, develop long term effective sustainable solutions. Within the project lifespan at least 500 learners, educators, organisations, and other stakeholders will use the IO’s, gain knowledge of best practice in social enterprise, develop new skills and have the confidence to integrate these into new social enterprises. 2,500 community leaders and other stakeholders will access the online platform and, strengthening their social enterprise skillset and leading to hundreds of innovative community projects. Over time, it is envisaged that social entrepreneurs will be more engaged, have better skills and feel connected and empowered to initiate, develop and manage social enterprise projects in their communities, making a positive social and economic contribution to the society around them. As a result of the project, the participants will be able to take advantage of competences that can advance their skill sets, employability and careers and have the knowledge, functional skills and ability to complete a social enterprise activity, task or function confidently which will harmonise their learning experience.