About NVL
The Nordic Network For Adult Learning (NVL) is a programme run by the Nordic Council of Ministers for Education and Research (MR-U).
The goal of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Education and Research is to ensure that the Nordic region is a cohesive and dynamic area in terms of education, research and innovation, while also striving to ensure the best possible Nordic added value and strength. Adult education and lifelong learning is one of a number of prioritised areas.
NVL is a network-structured organisation that works across sectors and transnational networks. NVL consists of a head coordinator who takes overall responsibility for NVL, as well as five national coordinators who are responsible for their networks and the link between the national and Nordic, in addition to three further points of contact representing the self-governing areas of Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland.
Engagement and co-creation are key pillars in NVL’s work. There are currently ten Nordic networks in NVL working on a time-limited basis on tasks relating to MR-U’s priorities. NVL facilitates cooperation between and across these member networks. The NVL Icelandic network is an example of a cross-Nordic network collaboration.
- to promote skills development and cooperation in different fields of adult learning in the Nordic countries
- to help to develop Nordic adult education systems through enhanced dialogue with MR-U and the rotating presidencies of the Nordic Council of Ministers
- to contribute to personal development and democratic participation through different forms of adult learning
- to contribute to cross-sector and national cooperation
- to promote Nordic cooperation in civil society and working life, and especially in lifelong education
- to disseminate experiences of and results from Nordic cooperation around adult education.
NVL’s network for entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial learning and innovation has carried out a pilot project encompassing three transformative learning circles (TLC) that has tested and evaluated new approaches to organising skills development for adult educators and others involved in adult learning processes.
Teaching and learning methods that promote participants’ creativity, develop entrepreneurial spirit and encourage innovation have been the focus of three different learning circles.
The pilot project (2015–2017) promoted cooperation between businesses and educators, and developed participants’ entrepreneurial attitudes so that they can work with others to take more responsibility and create change. The learning processes developed and tested during the pilot project are inclusive, based on participants’ knowledge and skills, and encourage their active participation in and shared responsibility for their learning outcomes.
The project has made Nordic cooperation visible through the participating organisations in the three Nordic learning circles, as well as their local background groups and networks. The knowledge base has been created through a collaborative process at a Nordic level and then been implemented directly in participating organisations at a local level. These Nordic solutions have created change at both a national and local level. The results have a high degree of transferability at a Nordic level and are directly relevant at a local and national level.
Thematically, the three learning circles focused on inclusion in working life and society:
A) Learning circle on integration in the workplace;
B) Learning circle on entrepreneurship, innovation and education;
C) The NVL Icelandic network focusing on integration in the island community.