In an era of rapid technological advancement and evolving workforce demands, EPALE proudly announces its thematic focuses for 2025. These carefully selected themes reflect the European Commission's priorities for 2024-2029 and align with our shared commitment to advancing adult learning and education across Europe.

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionising the way we approach adult learning, making learning more accessible and personalised than ever before. AI can be a powerful catalyst for breaking down traditional barriers to learning, providing innovative solutions for learners of all backgrounds and abilities. For learners with specific needs, AI brings transformative accessibility improvements, such as text-to-speech capabilities to support visually impaired learners or real-time captioning to support those with hearing impairments. In addition, AI tools can support educators by reducing administrative burdens, assisting with skills assessments, providing actionable insights, and facilitating blended teaching and learning approaches. 
While AI can help break down barriers to learning, we must also ensure that it promotes inclusion rather than reinforcing existing prejudices. The ethical use of AI in learning remains paramount. EPALE will explore ways to ensure that AI-assisted learning respects human dignity while promoting inclusion. This will include exploring quality assurance mechanisms for AI-enhanced learning outcomes and analysing frameworks for the ethical use of AI in adult learning.

Literacy, numeracy, basic digital skills: these are more than basic skills - they're the key to unlocking everyone's full potential in an evolving digital age. Recent PIAAC data highlights the urgent need to address basic skills gaps across Europe and calls for more effective interventions. This focus explores innovative approaches to making basic skills development more engaging, relevant and impactful, particularly for learners who may not thrive in traditional educational settings. Think about creating immersive learning experiences through real-life scenarios and gamified challenges, or using virtual labs and adaptive learning platforms to make educational content more accessible.
As accessibility is at the heart of basic skills development, particular attention will be paid to ensuring equal learning opportunities for all by removing barriers to participation and providing tailored support. This focus aligns with key EU initiatives such as Individual Learning Accounts and Upskilling Pathways, which position basic skills as the cornerstone of lifelong learning.

How do we prepare learners for jobs that don't yet exist? This focus looks at advanced skills intelligence, where data and human potential meet to build a future-ready workforce. Forward-looking skills development focuses on preparing learners for evolving labour markets and equipping individuals to thrive in dynamic careers. Emphasising the importance of building flexible, adaptive learning systems that anticipate future needs, EPALE will explore pressing questions such as: What are the most robust methods and tools for skills anticipation? What are the current approaches? How can they be integrated into adult learning practice? At the same time, EPALE will review and analyse recent studies and analyses of future trends, focusing on the most critical challenges of our time. Particular attention will be paid to cross-cutting issues such as: building bridges between AI, the green economy and emerging labour markets; implementing modular and micro-credential approaches for efficient up-skilling and reskilling; fostering collaboration between learners, employers and policymakers to develop future-ready curricula.

Throughout 2025, these focuses will be explored in a variety of formats, including blog posts, news articles, podcasts, Newscats and Resource kits. We invite you to contribute to these themes with your active participation and by inspiring colleagues from across Europe. 

Join us on this exciting journey as we work together to create more inclusive, innovative and sustainable adult learning opportunities across Europe!