E.QU.AL

Co-ordinated by INAPP in partnership with the Lombaria Region, the Lazio Region, the Autonomous Province of Trento, the Brodolini Foundation and Cereq (FR), the EQUAL project aims to prepare the ground for the implementation of the Council Recommendation "Pathways for the improvement of adult competences" in Italy, by contributing to the identification of the main elements supporting an effective strategy for the improvement of the competences of adults with low functional literacy and low qualifications.

This is to be pursued through the mapping of existing policies and of the dispositions and tools available for their implementation, starting from the main components of the so-called three-step strategy: assessment and validation, flexibilisation of educational and training pathways and certification of competences as a result of the latter. It also appears necessary to develop a methodology for the identification of priority groups so as to enable the adoption of specific approaches in line with the needs arising in the various territories, also starting from experiences that have already demonstrated a good level of effectiveness and efficiency.

The project is implemented in close cooperation with all the relevant actors in the field of adult learning. To foster this process, the partnership managing it is multi-level and transnational, involving public and private actors operating at different territorial levels.

The project aims to contribute to the improvement of the competences of low-skilled adults by supporting Italian national competent authorities in the implementation of so-called Upskilling pathways in response to the relevant Recommendation of October 2016. In particular, the UP Recommendation calls on Member States to design and implement schemes characterised by a three-step approach (assessment of competences, provision of tailor-made training and training and validation of acquired competences) aimed at increasing adults' basic numeracy, literacy and digital skills or facilitating the attainment of a higher qualification.