KMOP Policy Centre participated in the “ENHANCE Final Conference: Amplifying Learner Voice in Adult Education”, held on 12 May, bringing together adult education practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and learners from across Europe. The event provided a valuable platform for exploring how adult learning systems can better respond to learners’ needs and experiences by placing their voices at the centre of educational design and delivery.
Representing KMOP, Julie Van Elslander, Project Officer, presented two inspiring examples of learner-centred approaches drawn from the LEGENDS and GarDem projects. Although implemented in different contexts, both initiatives were built on a common principle: engaging learners as active contributors rather than passive recipients. In LEGENDS, older adults helped shape digital literacy training through surveys and focus groups, ensuring that learning content reflected their interests and local cultural heritage. In GarDem, adult learners played a leading role in the co-management of community gardens, transforming them into inclusive spaces for learning, collaboration, and community engagement.
Our presentation highlighted a key lesson for adult education providers across Europe: when educational opportunities are designed around learners’ experiences, participation and engagement increase significantly. By sharing these practices, we contributed to the ongoing European dialogue on strengthening learner voice and promoting more inclusive, responsive, and empowering adult education systems.
For further information about our work on strengthening adult education system contact us at [email protected].