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Eurydice

EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
Adult education and training
Greece

Greece

8.Adult education and training

Last update: 9 December 2024

Greece does not have a long-standing tradition in providing non-formal education for adults.

The Greek accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1981 helped the development of this form of provision.  The goal was to improve the competences of the workforce beyond the formal stages of education.

Until 1993, financing from teh European Social Fund (ESF) was largely channeled to the network of 300 adult education general training centres addressing the overall population, that operated throughout the country.

Between 1994 and 1999, adult education rigorously applied the ESF guidelines. The aim was to ensure public funding for the development of a system of Continuing Vocational Training (SEEK)).

From 2000 onwards, the implementation of new policies and initiatives, within a lifelong learning policy framework, covers different forms of education and training.  The latter enable adults to develop and reorient their education on the basis of varying individual needs.

In this context, the holistic concept of general adult education (formal and non-formal) was introduced in 2010 (l. 3879/2010). It includes all organised learning activities addressed to adults seeking to:

  •     Enrich their knowledge
  •     Develop abilities and skills
  •     Grow their personality
  •     Develop active citizenship.

A large number of institutions, fully or partly subsidised by the state, provided general adult education.

The Secretariat General for Vocational Education, Training and Life Long Learning  of the Minsitry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports is the sole responsible national authority for Adult Education and Training.

A number of bodies and organisations that operate as legal entities of public and/or private law, supervised by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports include:

Other providers of initial and continuing vocational education and training include the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the Ministry of Health , the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

Municipalities and private providers provide adult education.

Public adult education and training is free of charge and accessible to all.