The action plan “It's always a good time to learn” has caused willing individuals to come together to have a better understanding of the joint goals of European adult learning. But the road to an quick strategy is difficult and is only possible with an increased and sustainable financial involvement from the EU.

The challenges for adult education are massive. It is supposed to compensate for all the vocational, social and private deficits of the people like a fire brigade. Illiteracy, the computer-shy and unemployment? Non-voters, Eurosceptics? Uncreative bored people, a lack of motivation? Adult education helps! With its various bodies, the EU has recognised and described the significance of adult education, particularly for economic development. The publishing of the action plan is a sign that this area is being taken notice of and included in the strategic planning of the EU. And the action plan was the impetus for a community of individuals to form, who together wanted to promote the idea of a European strategy for adult learning. The formation of a working group for the action plan is the first attempt of the member states to address this issue at a European level. Participants in this working group, however, report that particularly the large countries have made a point of showing disinterest and left the work to the small states. In many countries, federal or fractured structures or political disinterest have made a stringent strategy barely visible, even at a national level. In many places, adult education is being increasingly shifted to the private sector instead of providing sufficient public financing.

At a European level, the implementation of a consistent strategy must be even more difficult. At the same time, it is the European Union that supports continuing education, particularly with the European Social Fund, provides an impetus for development through Grundtvig using its project funds and provides transparency and the recognition of qualifications for European qualification frameworks. The best means for Europe, in order to get certain stubborn member mules moving, most be a generous lump sum of funds – namely for sustainable and structured continuing education, rather than for punctual projects, as has so far been the case.