BOLSTER: Capacity Building of Adult Education Services & Adult Educators to Engage Local & Vulnerable Communities in the Just Transition

<< Background >>The project was imagined as an experimental attempt to bridge non-formal and formal education actors, to address two core needs (which also match the Erasmus+ Program Priorities), - 1) the inequalities caused by the climate action policy, and climate change more broadly, especially in Just Transition Regions, and - 2) people, for diverse reasons, including migration, falling through the gaps regarding civic participation structures. We saw adult education actors as an interesting space to pilot new methods, given adult education services have access and a relationship of trust to many marginalised communities. This consortium sought to explore how to build upon these relationships (and the methods that develop them) to support adult education services to better engage groups such as LTUA, NEETs, new migrants, within the ambitious European Green Deal (EGD) and accompanying Just Transition.This is our first KA2, as partner or applicant, so was a learning experience, and this pilot format suited us well, and has established a strong network capable of carrying this project onwards (given Just Transition Mechanism implementation is only slowly being implemented now). << Objectives >>S.O1: Enhance the capacity of adult education services to effectively engage and support vulnerable communities in the just transition process.S.O2: Develop and disseminate educational tools and practices that foster inclusive participation in community and policy-making processesS.O3: Build a network of educators skilled in integrating these approaches into their local contexts to ensure long-term impact and sustainability.S.O4: Build the overall quality and impact of adult education by embedding participatory methods and community-oriented approaches in everyday practices.<< Implementation >>A1: Developed a Toolkit for Adult Education Services, incorporating methods for engaging marginalized communities in the just transition, with a focus on participatory consultation and co-creation.A2: Ran a capacity-building study visit and training across multiple cities in a Just Transition Region, sharing innovative practices and facilitating peer-to-peer learning among adult educators and cultural actors.A3: Implemented local pilot projects and sustainability networking actions, testing the toolkit and methods in real-world settings.A4: Held project management and coordination activities, for collaboration and communication across partner organisations.<< Results >>R.1: Created and disseminated a toolkit, which included best practices, policies, and tools for engaging marginalized communities within adult education frameworks.R.2: Enhanced skills of over 60 educators through training and capacity-building activities.R.3: Strengthened our network of partner organisations and supporting the integration of project methodologies into local educational strategies.R.4: Conducted local pilot actions that test the toolkit.