On April 3rd, 2025, the XXIAdults project launched with its kick-off meeting held in Valladolid, Spain, at the premises of the coordinating organisation, Diputación de Valladolid. All six project partners – FormativeFootprint, E-School Educational Group, Fundacja NOVA, IRM-Inclusion and Bravo – gathered on-site for a full day of collaboration and strategic planning, marking the start of an ambitious initiative to adapt adult education systems to the realities of the 21st century.
Building a Strong Foundation for Collaboration
The meeting opened with a warm welcome and presentation of the agenda by Diputación de Valladolid, followed by a comprehensive overview of the project’s goals, timeline, and management structure. The team then moved into Work Package 1, which focused on project management and coordination. Topics included a review of the Gantt chart, ongoing and overdue tasks, and key partner responsibilities.
Formative Footprint presented the Quality Management Plan, highlighting monitoring procedures and evaluation tools that will ensure consistent progress and high-quality outcomes. E-SCHOOL also introduced the upcoming project website and digital guide, which will serve as central communication and dissemination tools.
Developing the XXIAdults Training Guide
A central component of the project is the creation of a Training Guide for adult educators, developed under Work Package 2. This guide aims to strengthen digital teaching competencies and support the modernization of adult education centers.
The partners shared their approaches to gathering good practices from their local contexts. These practices will be evaluated for their effectiveness and relevance, using both desk research and focus groups to collect meaningful data.
Formative Footprint outlined the methodology for compiling the Training Guide, with room for questions and feedback from all partners. The guide will be rooted in evidence from the research phase and tailored to the specific needs and realities of adult educators across Europe.
Strategy and Implementation for Long-Term Impact
The session continued with an overview of Work Package 3, focusing on the creation of an Educational Strategy. This strategy includes an Implementation Plan and a digital platform that will categorize educational actions based on complexity, providing customized pathways for institutions to adopt digital solutions effectively. Dissemination strategies were also discussed, with an emphasis on reaching a broad audience and maximizing the project’s impact across Europe.
Looking Ahead: What Comes Next?
Before closing, partners addressed outstanding questions, confirmed action points, and agreed on future meetings. One important decision was the rescheduling of the second transnational project meeting, now planned for October 29th, 2025, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A Promising Start for XXIAdults
The kick-off meeting in Valladolid successfully laid the groundwork for a productive and impactful project. With clear roles, strong communication, and shared enthusiasm, the XXIAdults consortium is well-positioned to drive meaningful change in adult education. The project will continue to build momentum in the coming months, with partners advancing their research, content development, and digital tools to support educators across Europe. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this journey towards more inclusive education for all!