Projects

The goal of the Priima Future project is to challenge conventional thinking and operational models in adult education, anticipate future skill needs, and learn to develop educational offerings accordingly. The project is coordinated by Valkeakoski-opisto and includes The Adult Education Centre of the Tampere Region, Ahjola Adult Education Centre, Orivesi Adult Education Centre, Education Centre Pirkan Opisto, and Sastamala Adult Education Centre.

The operating environment of liberal adult education institutions is changing as state and municipal finances tighten. We aim to create a foundation for a proactive, learning, and community-oriented operational culture while strengthening cooperation among different staff groups in our region.

As part of the project, we will organize a series of expert lectures that shed light on the future of liberal adult education from various perspectives. Themes will be deepened in workshops and training days specific to staff groups. The project's themes include the utilization of artificial intelligence, future skill needs and innovation skills, work-life skills, and leadership skills.

The project is funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education for educational staff training. The project's activities will end on June 30, 2026.

The goal of the Future Vision of Adult Education Centres project was to clarify the current state and key challenges of adult education centres, produce a vision of future development options for institute groups through scenario work, and implement the scenarios developed in the project for use in the institutes' strategic work and development plans.

The Future Vision of Adult Education Centres project was coordinated by the Helsinki Adult Education Centre. In addition to The Adult Education Centre of the Tampere Region, the project included Kuopio Adult Education Centre, Järvenpää Opisto, Kauniaisten kansalaisopisto, Espoo Adult Education Centre, Aurala Adult Education Centre, Hiiden Opisto, Jyvälän kansalaisopisto, Nurmijärven Opisto, Pieksämäen Seutuopisto, Tornio Adult Education Centre, and Oulu-opisto.

The Future Vision of Adult Education Centres project was funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education, and its activities continued until June 30, 2025.

The goal of the Breaking Barriers project is to investigate the realization of equality, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity in the teaching and activities of civic and adult education centres from the perspective of various residents, and to collaboratively develop concrete means to promote these aspects. The project seeks and develops self-directed ways of participation, involvement, and volunteer activities in the centres together with residents, students, and stakeholders.

During the project, The Adult Education Centre conducted an accessibility survey of the teaching facilities at the Ylöjärvi branch, which examined the accessibility of the physical environment of the teaching locations.

The questions addressed issues such as movement in outdoor and indoor spaces, signage, and structures enabling the use of assistive devices. Basic accessibility aspects were generally well considered in the teaching locations, but accessibility varied somewhat depending on factors such as the age of the building.

The results of the survey will be utilized in future course descriptions and student guidance. Additionally, The Adult Education Centre will organize a planning day for staff as part of the project, focusing on learning difficulties of adult students and supporting accessibility.

The Adult Education Centre has also adopted principles for creating a safer space.

The project is coordinated by the Kuopio Adult Education Centre, and in addition to The Adult Education Centre of the Tampere Region, it includes Joensuu Adult Education Centre, Kotka Adult Education Centre, Mäntsälä Adult Education Centre, Tornio Adult Education Centre, and Wellamo Adult Education Centre in the Lahti region.

The project is funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education, and its activities will continue until December 31, 2025.