Rethinking the impact of Erasmus+ on adult education : lessons from Slovenia

Mikulec, Borut (author)

This discussion paper presents the research process and selected findings from two impact studies on Erasmus+ in the adult education (AE) sector in Slovenia. It explores the relevance of Erasmus+ for the AE sector in the European Union (EU) and Slovenia, as well as the type of research and knowledge contributed by the Research-based Impact Analysis in Adult Education (RIA-AE) network. The paper also critically re-examines findings on two central topics identified in the impact studies: the improvement of AE quality through staff professionalisation, and the empowerment of adult learners through new Erasmus+ learning opportunities. It argues that the “openness” of Erasmus+ in the AE sector tends to hinder professionalisation, and that the empowerment of adult learners through Erasmus+ is viewed simplistically as a unidimensional process.

• Language: English
• Keywords: Erasmus+, adult education, adult learning, empowerment, professionalisation
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Geographic coverage: Slovenija
• Organization: FF - Faculty of Arts
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2026
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: Str. 67-74
• Numbering: No. 19
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-185738
• UDC: 374.7
• ISSN on article: 2533-1442
• COBISS.SI-ID: 288220163
• Publication date in RUL: 19.08.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: EPALE Journal : on adult learning and continuing education
• Shortened title: EPALE j.
• Publisher: INDIRE
• ISSN: 2533-1442
• COBISS.SI-ID: 288212483

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: izobraževanje odraslih, Erasmus+, učenje odraslih, opolnomočenje, profesionalizacija