Finding local solutions for adult and lifelong learning in Mykolaiv, Ukraine

Resilience is to be found everywhere in Ukraine, not least in its efforts to train and reskill its citizens, including veterans, as it mitigates the impact of war and rebuilds. 

At the Ukrainian National Forum on Adult Learning and Education, 10 October 2024, Ukrainian and international actors gathered for the event held in the city of Mykolaiv, winner of the Adult Learning Capital of Ukraine award in 2023, to discuss and scale up efforts.  The event was organised by Mykolaiv city, Centre for Adult Learning and education “South”, Ukrainian Adult Education Association, DVV International and the ETF, as a follow-up to a previous event in Poltava. 

“Mykolaiv’s development strategy has a vision for how the city can look in the future and this relies on the essential pillar of education, adult learning and lifelong learning,” said Serhii Koreniev, Deputy Mayor of Mykolaiv.

Although the war seemingly derailed the setting up of an adult learning centre in Mykolaiv, eventually the local theatre transformed into one as initiatives flourished, not least due to the drive and commitment of Mayor Syenkevych and Mykolaiv’s citizens who were congratulated in a welcome address by Siria Taurelli, Senior Human Capital Development Expert, from the European Training Foundation on behalf of the ETF Director, Pilvi Torsti. 

Indeed, notwithstanding the city’s proximity to the war front, and its citizens experiencing regular safety threats, they showed first hand their extraordinary determination to succeed when even a high security alert that interrupted the event did not deter participants, as they immediately reconvened from safety shelters to the conference once the imminent danger subsided. 

Part of Mykolaiv’s success has been its commitment to ‘intermunicipal and international cooperation’ and this was evident from the many participants who attended the event in person from across Ukraine as well as those who joined the event online from Ireland, Germany and Denmark to share good practices and discuss challenges, such as communication with employers, and statistical collection.

Moreover, “with the brain drain, closure of businesses, shortage of staff and facilities, people need to be trained to compensate and overcome these difficulties to restore the economy and prosperity,” said Viktor Sikalenko, from the Public organization Center of Adult Learning and Education “South”.  In addition, he added “communities all over Ukraine have accepted many internally displaced people and must provide them with living conditions and work.”

“The first priority, however, is always psychological help to address the impact of the war on citizens wellbeing and health,” said Sikalenko “from which no one has escaped.” Often, creative trainings such as pottery and art, for instance, are used as instruments for counselling and bringing people together. 

This year the Centre of Education for Veterans opened which offers electronic training for fixing electric buses and trams as well as access to many other courses offered free to them and other citizens such as in fields of medicine, project management, technology, cultural heritage, crafts etc.

“Both top down and bottom-up cooperation is needed for adult learning” said Levan Kvatchadze, DVV International Regional Director for Ukraine and Moldova drawing attention to the efforts made on the elaboration of the Adult Learning Law designed to streamline the field of adult education in Ukraine which had its first reading in January 2023 at the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. 

“Work on the law has been huge,” continued Kvatchadze “but an extra incentive is now needed for approval and implementation and ensure the effective financing, and legislative basis needed for the functioning of adult education institutions.” 

The event also brought together participants from several Ukrainian Global Network of Learning Cities which are “an important catalyst for local authorities and citizens’ engagement in democratic dialogue which is critical to ensure the adoption of the Adult Learning Law,” said Kvatchadze which “contribute to the role of lifelong learning and networking between civil society organisations (CSOs) and local authorities and other stakeholders for local sustainable development.”

The Forum participants discussed the priorities of the advocacy campaign for adult education as a tool for professional retraining and social integration in Ukraine, and how to engage key stakeholders at the local and national levels to advocate for the Law and raise awareness of its importance to the country's post-war recovery. The Law is also a requirement for European integration now that Ukraine has candidate status for European Union membership highlighted Taurelli, who gave an overview of the main political priorities and guidelines of the European Commission from 2024 to 2029 and the prominent role that adult and lifelong learning, including non-formal learning have been given to address both low-skill and high-skill shortages. 

“The political drive at top level is there but what is critical are local solutions with a broad range of stakeholders,” concluded Taurelli “which Mykolaiv is at the forefront of addressing.”