Finnish Adult Education Association is an umbrella organisation for non-formal adult education in Finland. It is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1969. FAEA´s main responsibilities are promoting non-formal adult education and learning, international co-operation and further training for adult educators.

Promoting Non-formal Adult Education and Learning

FAEA promotes non-formal education in Finland by negotiations, initiatives and development work. The goal of the association is to secure learning opportunities for adults and economical resources for non-formal adult education institutes. FAEA is actively engaged in discussion with the ministry of education on the future development of adult education and training. FAEA supports the role of adult education in strengthening participatory democracy, preventing social exclusion and encouraging active citizenship.

International Co-operation

In the Nordic context FAEA is a member of the Nordic network of adult learning (NVL). NVL aims at supporting adult education policy in the Nordic and Baltic countries and making the good practise and expertise of adult learning visible. FAEA organises together with NVL co-ordinators seminars and projects on the theme of valuing learning, active citizenship, quality management of lifelong learning. Recognition of learning and competences gained by non-formal or informal learning is of major interest.

FAEA is a member of the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA). FAEA has operated as the Information and Documentation Office of EAEA since 1993. FAEA is developing information structures on a web-based strategy. FAEA arranges study trips for adult educators to and from Finland.

Further Training for Adult Educators

Professional adult educators get their basic training mainly in the universities. Further training for adult educators has formed an important segment of FAEA´s activities. FAEA has also been responsible for a ten-year national training program called Knowledge and Competence in Non-formal Adult Education (VSOP).

News and links to forthcoming events, mainly in Finnish