The Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth acknowledges LifeLong Learning and digital skill development as key elements in response to the current economic crisis and demographic aging. By improving adults' ability to adapt to changes in the labor market, the family and the society, a contribution to the overcoming of the economic crisis, as well as the achievement of the Europe 2020 targets can be made. New adult learning possibilities provide upgrade- as well as re-skilling opportunities for those affected by unemployment and aging, while at the same time important contributions to social inclusion, active citizenship and personal development are being made. Yet, there is a growing consensus that adult learning is currently the weakest unit in developing national lifelong-learning systems. Participation in adult learning has continued to grow slowly, from 9,8 % of the 25-64 year-old population in 2005 to only 10,7 % in 2014, thus making the increased ‘ET2020’ target of 15 % by 2020 an even greater challenge.
Ageing is a global phenomenon. The world population is ageing causing changes in the society as whole. Senior citizens represent an important and ever growing part of our European population, economy and society: Nowadays 20% of the Berlin population (700.000 people) and 22% of the Erfurt population (50.000 people) is over 65 years old. This poses manifold questions as to how member states can best ensure social inclusion, active citizenship and participation in life, economy and the society, access to services, goods and opportunities in order to enable healthy well-being and independent living thus minimizing the cost on their families, the society and the economy in general. Therefore, the project will address the above mentioned challenges and collaborate with partners on building interactive tools to address them.