What is the initiative and where is it implemented (city or country, for example)?
Volkshochschulen (VHS) are adult learning centres founded on principles of liberal education and offering a range of programmes, including languages, general education and cultural learning. In addition, they increasingly provide vocational courses (EAEA, 2011). Since VHS are local institutions overseen by municipalities, they serve as community meeting points for neighbours to interact and build relationships and trust. The approximately 900 adult education centres in Germany offer around 700,000 events a year – courses and lectures, study trips and excursions. With around nine million participants, adult education centres are the largest provider of general adult education in Germany (DVV, 2011).
How was the initiative established? How was it implemented?
VHS is supported by local self-government and is democratically legitimized. As part of the public education mandate, the learning centres provide continuing education opportunities and flexible pathways to labour market integration and social policy implementation. The centres form a unique network of local LLL education provision and cultural hubs. In rural regions, adult education centres are often the only training providers available. The financing of VHS relies on public subsidies, tuition fees and other revenue; however, they are not profit-based (DVV, 2011).
VHS are open to all people regardless of age, gender, disability, origin, social status, education level, religion or worldview. One of their aims is to invite people with conflicting views to engage in dialogue.
The main goals of the initiative are summarized in seven statements:
- ensuring more equal opportunity in education;
- promoting intercultural continuing education;
- promoting the potential of skilled workers;
- targeted support for all age groups;
- developing municipal education networks;
- enabling access to digital development;
- strengthening commitment to Europe (DVV, 2011).
Which stakeholders are involved in the design and/or implementation of the initiative? Which sectors do they represent?
Though all Volkshochschulen are overseen by the German Adult Education Association (Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband – DVV), they assume different structures and sizes and levels of activity and authority, depending on the state or municipality in which they operate. Similarly, as community learning centres, they are positioned as institutions that bring local people together to learn. Though there are course fees for participants, costs are kept relatively low to maximize participation and support interaction and shared experiences from people of different social backgrounds. Financed by tuition fees, VHS provide affordable solutions for many people who would like to attend training tailored to their needs. A limited number of project grants and targeted subsidies are available in the financing scheme. Nevertheless, VHS require a steady and sustainable financing source to safeguard their future (Wulff, 2011).
What are the impacts of the initiative in terms of facilitating lifelong learning? Whom does it benefit and how?
Volkshochschulen are the key providers of non-formal adult education in Germany. The centres are located across the country, with each taking on different local or regional tasks and authority. Courses offered by the centres cover various subjects and focus on general education, languages and culture. There is a growing trend of providing vocational education as well (EAEA, 2011).
VHS are based on democratic principles, where access to education, regardless of the level of formal education or training, is the primary attribute of civil participation according to individual needs and abilities. By providing continuous learning opportunities to further personal and professional development, adult learning centres help to develop responsible, educated and enlightened citizens who can develop informed opinions to foster awareness of social and political responsibility (Wulff, 2011). VHS are also centres of integration for foreigners and migrants who can attend German language classes and other general and vocational training on a basis of equality with the locals.
DVV, 2011. Volkshochschulen are schools for the whole life. [Online] Available at: www.dvv-international.de/en/adult-education-and-development/editions/aed-772011/adult-education-conference/volkshochschulen-are-schools-for-the-whole-life [Accessed 27 November 2020].
EAEA (European Association for the Education of Adults), 2011. Country report on adult education in Germany. [Online] Available at: https://eaea.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/germany_country-report-on-adult-education-in-germany.pdf [Accessed 27 November 2020].
Wulff, C., 2011. Volkshochschulen are schools for the whole life. Adult Education and Development, 77, pp. 11–17. Available at: www.dvv-international.de/en/adult-education-and-development/editions/aed-772011/adult-education-conference/volkshochschulen-are-schools-for-the-whole-life [Accessed 23 July 2021].