The RIA-AE (Research-based Impact Analysis of Erasmus+ Adult Education Programmes) Network brings together National Agencies and research institutions from 21 European countries to strengthen the evidence base on adult learning within Erasmus+.
Established in 2022 under the coordination of the National Agency Education for Europe at the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (NA at BIBB), the network develops and implements a shared transnational monitoring approach. Its research explores how Erasmus+ activities impact adult learners, staff, volunteers, and organisations, focusing the internationalisation of this educational sector as well as the horizontal priorities set by the European Union: inclusion, digital transformation, sustainability, and civic engagement.
The research is conducted in three waves (2023/2024, 2025/2026, and 2027/2028), each focusing on specific thematic priorities and emerging trends in adult education. By fostering collaboration and generating comparative insights, RIA-AE supports the continuous improvement and strategic development of Erasmus+ adult education across Europe.
The Erasmus+ Programme, supported by the European Union, aims to enhance the educational, professional, and personal development of participants across Europe and beyond. The adult learning component of Erasmus+ focuses on improving the socio-economic resilience of adults facing challenging conditions for personal advancement. This involves enhancing language, numeracy, digital, and other skills to promote greater autonomy among vulnerable adults.
The adult learning sector distinguishes itself from other programme areas of the Erasmus+ Programme (like VET, higher education, primary and secondary education). For example, adult education is provided by a variety of different organisations (e.g. charities, cultural institutions, libraries, voluntary organisations, etc.). Moreover, besides professionals, these organisations often use volunteers to support adult learners in their learning process (e.g. for learning a new language). Another peculiarity is that in many EU Member States there are no national strategies for adult learning, as is usually the case in primary, secondary and higher education. In addition, the group of adult learners is also very diverse and includes people with a lower level of education, little digital skills, a migration background, disabilities and older people.
Given this large heterogeneity of the target groups, adult education addresses a wide range of different learning needs. Till now, less is known about the impact of Erasmus+ on adult learners, staff, volunteers and organisations in the field of adult learning. To better coordinate research activities on strengthening the impact of international cooperation and mobility projects in adult education and to enable the further development and quality improvement of the Erasmus+ Programme, the transnational RIA-AE Network has been established.
The RIA-AE Network was established in 2022 by eight National Agencies, under the coordination of the National Agency for Erasmus+ in adult education in Germany (NA at BIBB). The network has grown significantly since its creation and currently involves 21 countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Türkiye. An international consortium is, in cooperation with the NA at BIBB, responsible for the transnational research coordination: Ockham IPS (project lead), iit − Institute for Innovation and Technology and artéduc/University of Brussels.
In order to define the core purpose and fundamental orientation of the network, the RIA-AE Network has formulated a mission statement.