Strategic Partnerships provide organizations, companies, authorities, and other entities with the opportunity to advance innovative developments in adult learning through transnational cooperation. These partnerships are supported by the European Commission under Key Action 2: "Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices" as part of the EU's Erasmus+ programme.

Aims and Objectives

Strategic Partnerships are transnational projects that are designed to achieve one of the following primary objectives:

Exchange of Good Practices: These projects aim to create and strengthen networks, enhance organizational capacity for transnational cooperation, and facilitate the exchange of ideas, methods, and practices. Typically, these projects do not involve the production of intellectual outputs.

Support for Innovation: These projects are focused on producing innovative outcomes and/or disseminating and exploiting existing and newly developed products and ideas. This innovation can occur at local, regional, national, European, or organizational levels within the field of adult education. Projects under this category generally include the creation of intellectual outputs.

Strategic Partnerships can be organized both sectorally—within the adult education sector—and cross-sectorally, involving collaboration between two or more sectors (e.g., vocational education and training, adult education, higher education, schools, youth).

Target Groups

Strategic Partnerships are open to a wide range of public and private organizations involved in adult learning, including:

• Educational institutions
• Adult education centers
• Associations
• Foundations
• Universities
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Companies and businesses
• Local, regional, and national authorities

Additional Benefits

Participation in Strategic Partnerships offers several key benefits:

• Enhanced Collaboration: The partnerships facilitate strengthened networks and collaboration between different sectors and countries, thereby fostering a more integrated approach to adult education.

• Capacity Building: Organizations involved in these projects benefit from improved capacity to operate at a transnational level, which supports the broader goal of integrating educational practices across Europe.

• Innovation and Modernization: Strategic Partnerships promote the adoption of innovative practices and contribute to the modernization of adult education systems across Europe.

• Professional Development: The projects offer significant opportunities for the professional development of staff involved in adult education, enhancing their skills and competencies.

• Resource Sharing: Participating organizations gain access to a broader range of resources, tools, and expertise from different countries and sectors, which can enrich the learning environment.

• Cultural Exchange: The partnerships encourage cultural exchange and understanding, which enriches the learning experience and fosters a sense of European identity among participants.

Application and Funding

Organizations interested in establishing a Strategic Partnership can apply for funding through the Erasmus+ programme. Funding is available to support various activities, including project management, transnational project meetings, the development of intellectual outputs, dissemination activities, and participation in training and teaching initiatives.

Examples of Successful Projects

• Digital Literacy Programs: Partnerships have successfully developed digital literacy programs aimed at helping adults acquire essential skills for the modern workforce.

• Inclusive Education Initiatives: Projects have been implemented to integrate marginalized groups, such as migrants and refugees, into adult education systems.

• Environmental Education: Collaborations have focused on sustainability and environmental education, promoting eco-friendly practices among adults.

Conclusion

Strategic Partnerships play a vital role in enhancing and modernizing adult education across Europe. By fostering a more inclusive and innovative learning environment, these partnerships contribute to building a cohesive European educational space. They also promote lifelong learning and address pressing societal challenges through collaborative efforts. Overall, Strategic Partnerships under the Erasmus+ programme are instrumental in shaping the future of adult education by integrating innovative practices and facilitating transnational cooperation.