Scientific Coordinator: Konstantinos Papaeustathiou
Timeline: October 2026 – June 2027
This project aims to critically explore the possibility of developing guidelines and, potentially, criteria for introducing an evaluation and certification/validation process for General Adult Education programs.
The purpose of the project is the formulation of guidelines for the certification process of General Adult Education programs. The guidelines will take into account relevant European experience and will define:
- a) the types of programs to be certified,
b) the specifications of these programs (subject, target group, providers, implementation, duration, educational methodology, etc.),
c) the bodies, process, and methodology of certification,
d) the qualifications of the individuals responsible for evaluating programs for certification.
Specifically, the aim is to clarify, according to the literature and scientific evidence, as well as existing institutional frameworks in the field:
- a) The conceptual content, scope, and potentially the boundaries of “general adult education.” In this sense, a conceptual distinction should be made in contrast to the related concepts and content of “non-formal learning” and more broadly “lifelong learning” and adult education as a wider context.
- b) The minimum required characteristics that General Adult Education programs must meet in order to be approved/validated/certified,
- c) The type and form of structures, organizations, associations, etc. that implement General Adult Education programs.
Specific issues to be further examined arising from the above distinctions and assumptions include:
- The designation of the competent authority or accredited bodies for the approval/validation/certification of General Adult Education programs.
- The examination of the feasibility of granting approval/validation/certification to all General Adult Education programs.
- The prerequisites for submitting the above programs for approval/validation/certification.
- The methodological principles, criteria, and procedures for approval/validation/certification.
- The profile of evaluators/auditors/validators and the need for their training.
- The outcome of participation in an approved/validated/certified General Adult Education program: examining the feasibility of awarding a certificate and its form (open badge, micro-credential, module, certificate of attendance, digital certificate, other).
- The exploration of potential “priority” thematic areas in which approval/validation/certification procedures for General Adult Education programs could be piloted on a small scale, such as “transversal” skills.
The mapping of the necessary institutional provisions required to enable the implementation of all the above.
