In cooperation with content partner Ecorys UK, Netcompany-Intrasoft is developing and managing the Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe (EPALE), as a focal point and catalyst for the development of adult learning across Europe.
The European Commission wants EPALE to offer a platform for adult learning in Europe, to further the qualitative development of the sector. EPALE will be the first platform in Europe covering the whole spectrum and range of activities of adult education, offering multilingual content in a sustainable space.
€8.7 million
35%
60 months
Project details
For the implementation of EPALE, the consortium partners Netcompany-Intrasoft and Ecorys will operate a Central Support Service (CSS), charged with all aspects of designing, maintaining and promoting the platform. By the end of 2014, the EAPLE platform will be up and running, containing good teaching and learning practices, policy practices, research results and learning materials and other materials and information that are relevant to the users of the platform, including Open Educational Resources. The platform will be developed on the DIGIT Multi-Site Drupal7 Platform.
From 2014, the consortium will also integrate and animate a network of National Support Services (NSS) that is in the process of being set up by the European Commission.
The solution
- Develop an interactive adult learning community of practice which brings cohesion and momentum to the sector.
- Drive up quality, by giving adult learning professionals comprehensive and multilingual access to leading experts and the best adult learning resources from across Europe.
- Help develop the skills and competencies of staff and stakeholders through an open access, mutual learning approach.
- Stimulate innovation, helping members exchange ideas and learn from each other, making new connections between different topic areas and countries.
- Improve policy and practice by linking developments at local, regional, national and European levels and by providing a focal point to inform on-going development of adult learning programmes.
- Follow a structured and staged developmental approach founded on user feedback to ensure an optimal user experience.
The results
For the implementation of EPALE, the consortium partners Netcompany-Intrasoft and Ecorys will operate a Central Support Service (CSS), charged with all aspects of designing, maintaining and promoting the platform. By the end of 2014, the EAPLE platform will be up and running, containing good teaching and learning practices, policy practices, research results and learning materials and other materials and information that are relevant to the users of the platform, including Open Educational Resources. The platform will be developed on the DIGIT Multi-Site Drupal7 Platform.
From 2014, the consortium will also integrate and animate a network of National Support Services (NSS) that is in the process of being set up by the European Commission.
An alpha version of the new platform and a dedicated Twitter account were launched at the beginning of 2014 to raise awareness of the forthcoming full-content platform and to encourage users to provide early feedback. Audience and content research activities have started and a multilingual survey of stakeholder expectations was launched in April 2014.
The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) is responsible for the management of certain parts of the EU's funding programmes in the fields of education, culture, audiovisual, sport, citizenship and volunteering.
The Agency is responsible for most management aspects of the programmes, including
- drawing up conditions and guidelines for funding opportunities
- evaluating applications, selecting projects and signing project agreements
- financial management
- contacts with beneficiaries
- monitoring of projects (intermediate and final reports, and controls)
- on-site project visits