Working together to strengthen the voice of the learner: ENHANCE project meeting in Linz

On 3 and 4 April 2025, the European partners of the ENHANCE project gathered in Linz, Austria, for a Transnational Partner Meeting (TPM). This meeting took place at a special location: the courtyard of a communal housing project, where political art and homemade furniture symbolised community spirit and the power of people making their voices heard — exactly what the ENHANCE project stands for.

Objective of the ENHANCE project

ENHANCE, funded by Erasmus+, focuses on promoting participatory learning environments that focus on the needs and experiences of adult learners. Research shows that involving learners in their education leads to better learning outcomes. However, many education providers and policymakers still lack the tools to put this into practice. The ENHANCE project aims to change this by supporting those involved in adult education with practical tools and strategies to embed “Learner Voice” at all levels in a sustainable way.

Meeting in Linz

The TPM was organised by das kollektiv, an education provider for migrants in Austria. In addition to das kollektiv, Solidar (Belgium), NHE (Hungary), ABC Foundation and CINOP (the Netherlands), SVEB (Switzerland), Färnebo (Sweden), AONTAS (Ireland) and project coordinator EAEA (Belgium) also participated in the meeting.

After an introductory round and a session on financial reporting, the participants started a series of workshops focused on the main work packages of the project. These workshops focused on:

  • A European matrix of good practice examples around Learner Voice
  • Booklets, co-designed in storytelling workshops with learners
  • A policy roadmap for the structural embedding of Learner Voice
  • A podcast series offering practical advice and inspiration
  • A communication strategy for the wide distribution of the project results

The TPM provided an opportunity for exchange, planning and in-depth discussion, and concluded with a strong sense of solidarity among the partners. Despite differences in language and culture, a shared commitment to inclusive adult education proved to be the connecting factor.

What it means for CINOP

For CINOP, the ENHANCE project fits seamlessly with its mission to work towards an inclusive, responsive learning culture. The project not only offers valuable insights, but also practical tools that can be applied in the Dutch context to actively involve learners, including those with low literacy skills, in the design of their learning process. The voice of the learner is taken into account from the outset in the development of the programme: from content and form to guidance and evaluation. This ties in well with CINOP’s work in the field of basic skills. Together with the ABC Foundation, CINOP is working to translate this European knowledge into policy and practice in the Netherlands.

Read more about the ENHANCE project here

(This article contains adapted content from a blog by Megan O’Neil, AONTAS)