The Impact of the Erasmus+ Programme on Participation in Democratic Life, Common Values and Civic Engagement: A Study on Portuguese and Slovenian Adult Education Organisations

Active citizenship is one of the four main goals of adult education (AE) policy in the European Union (EU). While previous research has shown that EU AE policy has increasingly prioritised economic objectives, studies also suggest that Erasmus+ supports broader social goals. This study investigates how Erasmus+ in AE contributes to promoting active citizenship in Portugal and Slovenia. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data were collected through a survey of 179 AE organisations, while qualitative data were obtained through document analysis, focus groups, and individual interviews with 17 representatives of AE organisations and 9 adult learners. The findings highlight the important role of Erasmus+ in supporting the social goals of European AE policy and suggest positive contributions to social inclusion, civic competences, critical thinking, and participation opportunities for adult learners, particularly among vulnerable groups. However, its contribution to sustained civic engagement, collective action, and democratic participation appears more limited. The findings suggest that Erasmus+ may primarily support socialising forms of citizenship through inclusion, participation, and civic learning, while its contribution to more transformative forms of democratic agency remains less evident.