Lifelong Learning Platform | LLLP - European Civil Society for Education

Partnerships

The LLLPlatform advocates for the recognition of the specific role played by civil society organisations in public life. The engagement and activism of millions of citizens who freely and voluntarily join together in associations across Europe should be given institutional recognition.

The LLLPlatform also offers opportunities for capacity-building for its members. It is important to be able to understand European policies and their impact at the national level. This is why the Platform produces regular infonotes, organises brainstorming sessions, etc.

The LLLPlatform is both a member of Civil Society Groups and a partner of European Institutions. It also takes part in thematic alliances.

Civil Society Partners

Launched by the Learning Planet Institute and UNESCO on the 24th of January 2020 on the occasion of the International Day of Education, #LearningPlanet is an open alliance with a cause, dedicated to learning stakeholders and communities. It is a long-term initiative with a mission to gather players from around the world in order to identify, celebrate, enhance and scale up innovative educational solutions towards sustainable futures that ensure the respect, well-being and fulfilment of oneself, the others and the planet. #LearningPlanet defines itself as a middle-ground: it connects institutions with grassroots movements and innovators to scale up their ideas.

The European Movement International is a lobbying association that coordinates the efforts of associations and national councils with the goal of promoting European integration, and disseminating information about it. The LLLP cooperates with EMI on the “On our Watch” campaign since 2017.

European Social Fund Transnational “Learning & Skills” Thematic Network: The ESF is Europe’s main instrument for supporting jobs, helping people get better jobs and ensuring fairer job opportunities for all EU citizens. It works by investing in Europe’s human capital – its workers, its young people and all those seeking a job. ESF financing of EUR 10 billion a year is improving job prospects for millions of Europeans, in particular those who find it difficult to get work. The programme is managed by Member States but to boost cooperation among Member States and enable citizens to learn from experiences and good practices in another country there is “transnational cooperation” component. This latter is organised in  Transnational Thematic Networks. LLLP joined the Thematic Network on “Learning and Skills” in 2017.

Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe: The Council of Europe’s work benefits extensively from contacts and co-operation with the dynamic elements of society, as represented by NGOs. One of the main challenges currently facing the Organisation is to strengthen NGOs and civil society and to develop participatory democracy on a pan-European basis. LLLP obtained the participatory status in 2017.

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On 18th April 2012, the LLLPlatform and the European Youth Forum, respectively represented by their president Gina Ebner and Peter Matjašič, signed a partnership agreement in the platform’s offices. This new partnership implies that the two organisations will develop their cooperation by supporting each other through exchanging competencies and experiences, sharing their good practices and positions and regularly attend each other’s events and activities. The LLLPlatform and the YFJ had already set up together in 2010 an informal working group on the future programmes for education, training and youth.

The Good Lobby offers pro bono law, policy or advocacy services relating to EU public policy. It connects volunteers to NGOs, matching skills and needs of no-profit organisations with its pool of lawyers.  Academics, professionals and students join the network of skilled volunteers to help NGOs collaboration towards accomplishing their aim. The LLLP and The Good Lobby agreed on a partnership towards the campaign #Erasmusx10

Trusted Jobs encourages companies to improve their work culture, and communicate about it in the most credible way. They gain time and money recruiting fitting candidates and avoid productivity loss, high turnover and a bad reputation. Trustedjobs.eu is more than a job site. It is a community-based platform bringing transparency in the job market where candidates can now apply for jobs they trust.

Interns Go Pro

InternsGoPro’s mission is to boost youth employment in Europe by promoting internships that truly help students & graduates develop skills & get a job. IGP creates transparency on internship practices through online ratings and reward the best employers with the European Label for Best Internships. The Lifelong Learning Platform is committed to these goals and has put in place a partnership towards the full development of interns. As of 2017, the LLLPlatform has been awarded with the European Label for Best Internships.

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Consumer Classroom is a community website for teachers bringing together an extensive library of consumer education resources from across the EU, along with interactive and collaborative tools to help prepare and share lessons with students and other teachers.

civil society contact group

The Civil Society Contact Group brings together 8 important platforms (social, international solidarity, human rights, sustainable development, women, culture, public health and lifelong learning). Together, they represent hundreds of European NGOs and thousands of national affiliate organisations. The CSCG aims to develop and promote dialogue between civil society organisations and European institutions as an essential contribution to the strengthening of participatory democracy in Europe.

Institutional partners

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The LLLPlatform mainly works with the DG EAC of the European Commission, closely following European policies and programmes on education and training. It contributes to the annual Forum on Education, Training and Youth, we are a member of the EQF Advisory Group, a member of the Thematic Working Group on Tranversal Skills and the LLLPlatform meets regurlarly the head of units and directors of the DG EAC.

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The Platform also follows the work of DG EMPL and its policies linked to the Agenda for new skills and jobs and the Platform against poverty and social exclusion. It is a member of the Stakeholders’ Dialogue group of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion.

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The LLLPlatform closely follows developments in the Digital Agenda (DG DIGITAL) and more particularly on digital inclusion. It was a member of the multi-stakeholders platform for digital literacy and e-inclusion.

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The LLLPlatform mainly works with the Culture and Education (CULT) Committee and the Employment and Social Affairs Committee (EMPL). Its work with Members of the European Parliament has recently been developed through the Lifelong Learning Interest Group, created in partnership with EAEA and chaired by MEP Sirpa Pietikainen (EPP, S&D).

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The Platform also cooperates closely with the European Economic and Social Committee as member of the Liaison Group with organised civil society organisations. The platform is also a member of the European Economic and Social Committee Liaison Group. This group aims to guarantee a coordinated approach of the Committee vis-a-vis European civil society organisations and networks and to follow common initiatives. The creation of this group is part of a general ambition of the EESC to reinforce its cooperation with European civil society organisations.

As of April 2017, the Lifelong Learning Platform has joined the European Social Fund Transnational Cooperation Network, looking forward to boosting transnational cooperation in the skills sector.

EPALE (Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe) is a European, multilingual, open membership community of adult learning professionals, including adult educators and trainers, guidance and support staff, researchers and academics, and policymakers. EPALE is funded by the Erasmus+ programme.

Since 2022, LLLP is a service provider to EPALE.

LLLP is member of the Intellectual Property in Education Network of the European Union Intellectual Property Office. The network aims to promote creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and responsible digital engagement among young Europeans.

In the globalised and digitalised 21st century, creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and an enhanced digital skillset are, more than ever, at the heart of European economic, cultural and social wealth.

Since 2021, LLLP holds special consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC). LLLP has thus access to a large network of international civil society organisations, and is consulted on matters of importance related to education, training and lifelong learning.

Since 2021, LLLP is in an official partnership with UNESCO, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (with consultative status). This means that LLLP has gained access and participation in UNESCO meetings and consultations on matters of competence. In addition, LLLP will be consulted about UNESCO’s strategy and programme, and in turn will be able to send written statements to the Director-General on UNESCO programme matters within our competence.

In 2020, LLLP joined the UNESCO Global Education Coalition. Created in response to the COVID pandemic, the Global Education Coalition is a platform for collaboration and exchange to protect the right to education during this unprecedented disruption and beyond. It brings together more than 175 members from the UN family, civil society, academia and the private sector to ensure that #LearningNeverStops.

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (formerly: UNESCO Institute for Education) is one of six educational institutes of UNESCO. It is a non-profit international research, training, information, documentation and publishing centre on literacynon-formal education, adult and lifelong learning. By linking educational research, policy and practice in these areas, UIL makes a special contribution in enhancing access to learning, and improving the environment and quality of learning for all in all regions of the world. LLLP cooperates on regular basis with UIL on various topic but in particular “Learning Cities”, SDGs, and the LLL Glossary (2018-2020 ongoing project).

Media Partners

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Elm (European Lifelong Learning Magazine) is a free online magazine on lifelong learning and adult education. It is the only journalistic medium of adult education with a European scope and with a continent-wide correspondent network.

openeducationportal

The aim of the Open Education Europa portal is to offer access to all existing European Open Educational Resources in different languages in order to be able to present them to learners, teachers and researchers.