On 17 December 2025, the Governance, Learning, Action and Dialogue (GLAD) network, convened a webinar to share insights from its recent high-level roundtable on adult learning held in Torino. The session brought together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from more than ten countries to explore systemic approaches to lifelong learning and skills development.
This webinar serves as a direct follow‑on from a major two‑day conference in Turin in mid‑November, detailed in an ETF news article highlighting how delegates from EU candidate and neighbouring countries came together to shape adult learning reforms.
Three Pillars for Reform
The Torino roundtable identified three critical pillars for effective adult learning systems:
- Legislative and governance frameworks
- Implementation challenges
- Quality and inclusiveness
“These are not abstract concepts,” said , Levan Kvatchadze, Regional Director for Eastern Neighbours, DVV International . “They translate into real reforms that empower the weakest participants of our society to learn and participate.”
Armenia: Incentives and Community-Based Learning
Deputy Minister Araksia Svajyan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Armenia outlined her country’s recent initiatives, stressing the government’s commitment to lifelong learning as a driver of social inclusion and economic competitiveness.
“In recent years, the Republic of Armenia has placed particular emphasis on continuous development and improvement of adult learning and education,” she said. Among the flagship reforms is a social credit mechanism for tax returns, enabling taxpayers to receive up to €250 annually for education‑related expenses, including adult learning programmes.
“This initiative is designed to incentivise lifelong learning by providing financial support and encouraging citizens to invest in their own professional and personal development,” Svajyan explained.
She also highlighted the establishment of adult education centres across all regions, including rural areas where access remains limited. “We decided that we should have community centres responsible for education—regular, vocational, and non‑formal programmes,” she added, noting plans for over 100 rural educational complexes by the end of next year.
Moldova: A Fivefold Budget Increase and Mobile Outreach
Felicia Bechtoldt, State Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Moldova, announced a major breakthrough: a fivefold increase in the budget for active labour market measures, from €1.7 million to €9.9 million.
“This is a huge success,” Bechtoldt said. “Next year, we will be able to offer registered unemployed individuals immediate access to vouchers for professional training.”
She detailed Moldova’s dual approach:
- Professional training vouchers with scholarships “almost equivalent to the minimum wage,”
- Certification of informal work experience, particularly for Moldovans returning from work abroad.
Bechtoldt also praised the impact of mobile teams, introduced to reach rural communities. “In the first ten months of 2025, mobile teams identified over 1,500 inactive individuals, placing 46 % into employment,” she reported. These teams also registered more than 1,000 new job opportunities through employer outreach.
Inclusiveness and Special Needs
Both speakers addressed the challenge of inclusiveness. Armenia acknowledged the need for more programmes for people with special educational needs in non‑formal education, while Moldova presented a suite of measures for persons with disabilities, including employer subsidies, workplace accessibility grants, and transportation allowances.
“We need to work more on making our training programmes accessible,” Bechtoldt admitted, while noting progress through internships and on‑the‑job training.
Looking Ahead
The webinar concluded with a call for stronger coordination among ministries, employers, and civil society. “It’s very important to bring more coherence and collaboration, especially in adult learning—a very fragmented sector,” participants agreed.
ETF announced that the next GLAD webinar will take place on 20 January 2026, continuing the dialogue on financing, governance, and innovation in lifelong learning systems.
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