This study maps and analyses key data, the sources, the mechanisms of funding approaches and relevant recent developments.

Particular focus is on the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and United Kingdom as well as Norway and Switzerland as EEA countries and - in order to compare Europe’s adult learning policies with those of major competitors – the four non-European countries Australia, Canada, Korea and the USA.

Cedefop has contributed to the part of cost-sharing mechanisms, benefits of VET, work-based learning, older workers, guidance, skills demand and supply and VET policy analysis.