2022 is the European Year of Youth, shining a light on the importance of European youth to build a better future – greener, more inclusive and digital. The European Year of Youth is the moment to move forward with confidence and hope in a post-pandemic perspective.

With this focus EPALE will approach young adults (with a special attention to the age range 25-30) from specific points of view, in particular:

• Intergenerational learning
• Low-skilled adults; basic skills development
• Civic engagement and participation

The National Support Services in the Nordic countries have gathered content on skills development of young adults according to the 2022 thematic focus of EPALE.

Finland: Education students sightseeing the world of work

Duunisafari is a concept that offers concrete experience in the world of work by sending education students at the workplaces of an education graduates for a few days to see how they work. With the Duunisafari concept, students of education can take a peek at what kinds of places they may end up working in with their qualifications. Learning about different workplaces expands the students' view of the world of work and creates new networks.

Read more about the Duunisafari concept. The article is available in Finnish and English.

Sweden: The FAMN project is helping young recent immigrants to Sweden gain qualifications at folk high schools

The FAMN project springs from how, over the last few years, many people who recently immigrated to Sweden have begun to study at folk high schools. Whilst this is positive, it has also put a spotlight on the issue of finding approaches to teaching and learning that can meet the target group in an optimal manner. 

Read more about the FAMN project. The article is available in Finnish, English, and Swedish. 

Denmark: Folk high schools play a central role in the formation of young adults

In Danish folk schools students can study subjects such as sports, natural sciences, politics, music, history and much more – within a non-formal and social boarding-school setting. In addition to subject knowledge, students also benefit from democratic education and life/popular enlightenment. These three elements are namely the main purpose of the Danish folk high schools.

Read more about folk high schools in Denmark. The article is available in Finnish, English, and Danish.

Iceland: What is a Folk School?

Folk schools answer an increased demand for more varied options in Icelandic education. It is however a relatively new thing in Iceland that people can live and study at an institution with no emphasis on traditional grades and degrees. Studying at a folk school also plays an active role in helping drop-out students as well as unemployed people and those who undergo job rehabilitation to keep active and increase their chances of getting a job by using the curriculum and the community offered by the school.

Read more about folk schools in Iceland. The article is available in Finnish and English.