Inclusion is  a central priority in European education and skills policies. For organisations such as EUCEN, this reinforces the important role universities play in widening access to learning throughout life and supporting more inclusive societies.

Several current European initiatives are especially relevant for the University Lifelong Learning (ULLL) community. Let’s see them in detail:

• Erasmus+ Inclusion and Diversity Priority. Erasmus+ places inclusion and diversity at the centre of the programme, promoting equal opportunities, accessibility and participation for learners with fewer opportunities. This directly connects with EUCEN’s work on flexible learning, outreach and accessible lifelong learning pathways.
• The European Education Area highlights the need for inclusive education and lifelong learning systems across Europe. Its priorities (flexible pathways, recognition of prior learning, micro-credentials and learner-centred approaches) strongly align with the ULLL agenda.
• The EU recommendation on Individual Learning Accounts (ILAS) supports adults’ access to training throughout working life. The initiative encourages flexible, labour-market relevant learning opportunities and reinforces the importance of short courses and micro-credentials offered by universities.
• The European Skills Agenda connects inclusion with upskilling and reskilling, particularly for adults traditionally underrepresented in education. It highlights the importance of flexible learning pathways, digital inclusion and cooperation between education providers and employers.
• European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) – Lifelong Learning and Gender Equality EIGE emphasises the role of lifelong learning in supporting gender equality, employability and social participation, particularly for adults balancing work and care responsibilities.

Why all this matters for EUCEN

Together, these initiatives show that universities are increasingly recognised as key actors in promoting inclusion, employability and lifelong learning. This policy direction strongly supports EUCEN’s mission to advance flexible, accessible and learner-centred ULLL across Europe. 

Recently, EUCEN has published two Position Papers addressing these themes: “University Lifelong Learning and the 2030 Headline Targets of the European Pillar of Social Rights” (2025) and “The Robin Hood Model of University Lifelong Learning. Why Universities Cannot Build Lifelong Learning Societies Under Knowledge-Economy Funding Models” (2026), both available through the EUCEN publications page.

Still highly relevant, the outcomes and tools developed through the SMILE project provide practical resources that support universities and adult educators in implementing more inclusive lifelong learning strategies, particularly for learners from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds.