EU Funds - Education, Training and Lifelong Learning
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From: Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
- Published on: 2 January 2020
- Last updated on: 18 November 2024
“Education, Training and Lifelong Learning” is one of the investment areas targeted by European funding in Ireland. The goal of this investment is to support people in accessing education or training regardless of their stage in life. Two funds invest in this area: the European Social Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
The European Social Fund helps people access education, in order to gain the skills and qualifications they need to go on and find work.
| Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning | €215.4 million |
| Rural Development Programme | €126.1 million |
Examples of Education, Training and Lifelong Learning
Back to Education Initiative
European Social Fund
The Back to Education Initiative is aimed at people over 16 who are seeking to return to education with a special focus on people who did not gain the Leaving Certificate.
It offers part-time courses to allow attendees to balance education with family and work commitments.
Further information is available from your local Education and Training Board.
Third Level Access
European Social Fund
Third Level Access assists students from disadvantaged backgrounds and students with disabilities to access higher level education, through two funds:
- Student Assistance Fund
- Fund for Students with Disabilities
For more details on the funds and which colleges are involved, please visit studentfinance.ie.
Adult Literacy
European Social Fund
Adult Literacy allows people with reading and writing difficulties to gain access to literacy, language and numeracy education.
It provides a range of basic education programmes for adults, which may include: reading and writing, communication skills, applying numbers to everyday maths problems, and study skills.
Further information is available from your local Education and Training Board.
What Adult Literacy participants say
Returning to Education – a story of why one of our participants joined the course in Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board
"I had been playing with the idea for a long time until I found out I am going to be a daddy for the first time next March."
"I’d love to be able to put my new baby to bed with a bed time story and not be afraid that I’d read it wrong. I have been told that the hardest part of being a dad is being a superhero. Now, what superhero do you know that can’t read or write in a child’s eyes?"
"I will try my hardest to be that superhero."