Building Skills and Competences of Marginalised Adults

"<< Background >>The ""One Step Up"" project application addresses significant needs related to adult education, focusing on marginalized groups within the EU who experience low participation in lifelong learning. Statistics show that adult education engagement rates fall below the EU's target of 15% in several countries represented in the consortium, emphasizing a widespread need to boost access to learning for those with low qualifications, the unemployed, and long-term unemployed, elderly as well as migrant and refugee communities.Motivated by high levels of unemployment, especially post-COVID-19, and the necessity for modern, adaptable skills in a knowledge-based economy, the project aims to re-engage these groups through lifelong learning, which can improve their economic prospects, social inclusion, and overall well-being. The objectives include providing accessible, high-quality learning opportunities and developing innovative, flexible educational resources to help adult learners gain necessary skills. Additionally, the project will equip adult educators with enhanced digital and andragogical skills to better support these vulnerable groups.<< Objectives >>The ""One Step Up"" project set out to improve access to lifelong learning for marginalized adults with low skill levels or qualifications, addressing the educational barriers faced by groups such as the long-term unemployed, migrants, and refugees. Key objectives included providing accessible, high-quality learning opportunities to re-engage these groups in education, thereby fostering their social inclusion and economic integration. The project also focused on enhancing the digital and andragogical skills of adult educators, equipping them with the necessary tools to offer more flexible, engaging, and inclusive learning pathways tailored to low-skilled adults. By developing innovative resources like micro-learning modules and hosting community learning festivals, ""One Step Up"" aimed to create bite-sized, accessible learning formats that effectively lower traditional barriers to education. This approach supports greater social cohesion, empowers disadvantaged adults, and enhances employability across the EU, contributing to more inclusive and resilient communities.<< Implementation >>The ""One Step Up"" project included several key activities:Development of the Educators' Toolbox: This involved creating micro-learning resources specifically designed to re-engage low-skilled adults in education. These resources included short, engaging modules focusing on foundational skills.Professional Development for Educators: Training programs were organised for adult educators to strengthen their digital and pedagogical skills. This training emphasised innovative teaching methods, such as embedded learning techniques and adaptable approaches for various learning styles.Community Learning Festivals: These festivals were held to promote the micro-learning resources and encourage community involvement. They served as platforms for educators and learners to engage in informal, accessible educational experiences.Policy and Practice Recommendations: A report was prepared with recommendations for adult education policies, aimed at enhancing the support system for low-skilled adults and facilitating best practices for their reintegration into learning pathways.These activities collectively aimed to provide a supportive, engaging, and inclusive educational environment for marginalised adults across the EU<< Results >>The ""One Step Up"" project achieved several concrete outputs and results:Educators' Toolbox: A set of micro-learning resources tailored for low-skilled adults was developed, offering accessible, bite-sized educational modules on essential skills, thereby re-engaging marginalized learners in education.Enhanced Educator Skills: Through professional development training, adult educators gained improved digital and pedagogical competencies, equipping them to deliver flexible and inclusive learning pathways suited to diverse learner needs.Community Engagement: The community learning festivals successfully engaged local communities, raising awareness and encouraging participation in lifelong learning through informal, accessible education events.Policy Recommendations Report: The project produced a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations for policy and practice in adult education, aiming to foster long-term support for low-skilled adult learners and improve educational inclusion across the EU​.All results are available at https://one-step-up.eduprojects.eu/ in EN, LT, PL, GR, FR, PT, CZ, HR."