On 21 April 2026, SOLIDAR+, in collaboration with the S&D Group, organised the Policy Knowledge Exchange ‘Enabling learning environments: The role of non-formal and informal learning in building citizenship and basic digital competences’. The event, taking place at the European Parliament in Brussels, brought together policymakers, civil society organisations and education and training stakeholders to discuss the role of non-formal and informal learning (NFIL) in developing the citizenship and digital competences needed for civic and democratic participation in society. 

The exchange marked the first step towards the development of SOLIDAR+’s upcoming policy paper on the topic, which will be presented at the European Parliament later this year. This whole process is part of the Civil Society Cooperation grant, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme. 

Welcoming Remarks: Strenghtening recognition of NFIL

Opening the event, Elisa Gambardella (SOLIDAR+) highlighted the growing recognition at EU level of the contribution of NFIL to key competences, while pointing to persistent gaps in funding, data collection, and stakeholder involvement. 

European Parliament Vice-President Victor Negrescu (S&D Group) followed by underlining the importance of investing in education, skills, and lifelong learning as drivers of democratic participation and resilience in the face of rapid technological change. He stressed the need for stronger European cooperation, better scaling of good practices, and increased prioritisation of education and skills in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). 

SOLIDAR+’s upcoming policy paper

Luisa López López (consultant and researcher in global citizenship education) presented the framework for SOLIDAR+’s forthcoming research, which will examine how enabling learning environments support the development of citizenship and digital competences. 

The research will focus on: 

• Identifying key characteristics of enabling learning environments. 

• Analysing the role of NFIL providers in creating and sustaining such environments. 

• Exploring how these environments support the development of citizenship and digital competences. 

The study will follow a qualitative participatory approach, combining policy analysis with evidence gathered from civil society stakeholders across Europe. 

Discussion on the Role of NFIL in Building Citizenship and Basic Digital Competences 

The discussion, chaired by Elisa Gambardella, brought together Daniele Vidoni (Policy Coordinator, DG EAC), Maria Magdalena Isac (International Director ICCS & Senior Research Associate, University of Bath), Raffaela Kihrer (Secretary General, EAEA), and David Mekkaoui (CEO, All Digital). 

The exchange highlighted the need to move beyond knowledge-based approaches to citizenship education and develop more comprehensive frameworks capturing skills, values, and attitudes. Strengthening measurement systems and improving both quantitative and qualitative data were identified as key to better understanding learner engagement, inequalities in access, and learning outcomes. 

Participants emphasised the growing importance of critical digital citizenship, particularly in addressing disinformation and supporting active and critical participation in digital spaces. While internet use is widespread, significant gaps in basic digital competences persist. 

Non-formal learning was recognised as particularly effective in addressing these challenges due to its flexible, learner-centred approaches. At the same time, a continued disconnect remains between policy recognition and structural support for NFIL, especially in adult learning, alongside the need for stronger validation mechanisms and increased investment across learning sectors. 

Closing remarks

Elisa Gambardella (SOLIDAR+) closed the session by thanking participants for their contributions and underlining that the discussion marks the first step in a broader process to inform SOLIDAR+’s forthcoming Policy Paper on enabling learning environments, expected to be presented in November 2026 at the European Parliament.