Evaluation of societal impact and accessibility of liberal adult education (2025–2026)

The Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) will, for the first time, evaluate the societal impact and accessibility of liberal adult education as a whole. The evaluation will be carried out in 2025–2026 and will produce current information on the societal relevance, effects and development possibilities of liberal adult education.

Liberal adult education is a key part of lifelong learning and civic participation in Finland. It is provided by adult education centres, folk high schools, sports institutes, summer universities and study centres. Liberal adult education promotes education, equality, equity and wellbeing and supports sustainable social development.

The evaluation is being implemented at a time when the role and societal mission of liberal adult education within the education system are being reassessed. At the same time, the sector faces financial pressures and expectations to strengthen its impact and knowledge base. The need to produce evaluation data on the societal relevance and impact of liberal adult education is therefore increasingly timely.

Purpose of the evaluation

The aim of the evaluation is to strengthen the shared understanding of the societal impact and accessibility of liberal adult education in relation to statutory objectives and national education policy guidelines.

The evaluation will produce information on

• the kinds of outcomes and impact liberal adult education generates at individual, community and societal levels
• how accessibility to liberal adult education is realised
• how impact can be measured, monitored and managed
• what good practices do educational institutions and education providers apply in managing impact.

The evaluation will result in a proposal for a framework for assessing the impact of liberal adult education (including core and in-depth indicators). The framework can be used by providers of liberal adult education in their own evaluation and development work also after the project has been completed.

Themes of the evaluation

The evaluation examines the effects and impact of liberal adult education from several perspectives. Key themes include

• inclusion, equality, diversity and accessibility
• lifelong learning, competences, education, wellbeing and further learning pathways
• citizenship, democracy and social cohesion
• cultural participation and regional vitality
• impact management and evidence-based development
• wider societal effects.

The evaluation is linked to FINEEC’s Evaluation Plan 2024–2027, Strategic Objective II: Promoting social, ecological and economic sustainability.

Target groups and beneficiaries

The evaluation covers all educational institutions in the field of liberal adult education. Thus, the main beneficiaries are adult education centres, folk high schools, summer universities, sports institutes and study centres as well as education providers.

The results can also be used by the central organisations of liberal adult education, staff and learners at the institutions, researchers and education policy decision-makers. The evaluation will also benefit municipalities, regions and society more broadly.

Evaluation methods and approaches

The evaluation is based on a multi-method approach combining joint self-evaluation by institutions and education providers, statistical data, previous research results, document analysis and perspectives from participants and stakeholders.

The evaluation framework applies the IOOI model (Input–Output–Outcome–Impact), which describes the chain from resources and activities to short-term outcomes and long-term societal impact. A systemic approach recognises that impact arises through interaction between multiple actors and structures.

The key concepts in the evaluation are outcomes, impact and accessibility.

• Outcomes describe short- and medium-term changes in participants’ or communities’ behaviour, attitudes or competences.
• Impact refers to long-term, broad and lasting changes in individuals, communities or society.
• Accessibility in the context of liberal adult education refers to the physical, financial, social and digital availability of education and guidance services, ensuring that all population groups can participate regardless of age, place of residence or social position.

Schedule

Planning phase: spring – early autumn 2025

• FINEEC launched the preparatory work for the evaluation and organised consultation sessions for liberal adult education providers to identify evaluation needs.
• The evaluation group and commenting group began their work in May 2025.
• The evaluation project plan was confirmed on 29 October 2025.

Implementation phase: late 2025 – autumn 2026

• Collection and analysis of evaluation data.
• Reporting of results will begin during 2026.

Reporting phase: late 2026

• Conclusions and development recommendations will be finalised during 2026.
• The final report will be published in December 2026, and the results will be presented at a closing seminar.

Evaluation group and commenting group

The evaluation is carried out by the following evaluation group:

• CEO Lauri Tuomi, Kvs Foundation (Chairperson)
• Research Manager Paula Alanen, Silta-Valmennusyhdistys ry
• Pincipal Tarja Hooli, Tornio Adult Education Centre
• Research Team Leader, Senior Scientist Kirsi Hyytinen, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd
• Professor Harri Jalonen, University of Vaasa
• Professor Jyri Manninen, University of Eastern Finland

The evaluation group is supported by a commenting group consisting of representatives of different types of liberal adult education institutions:

• Rector Riikka Harju, Päijät-Häme Summer University
• Executive Director Kari Karvonen, Trade Union Education Centre Toimihenkilöjärjestöjen Opintoliitto ry
• Education Manager, Quality Manager Anna Kirstinä, Study Centre Citizens’ Forum
• Principal Anna Pensar-Kuivamäki, Folkhälsan Utbildning Oy
• Principal Niko Rantanen, Kalajoki Christian College
• Principal Marjukka Tiainen, Sports Institute of Three Campuses

Related materials

• Project plan (available in Finnish only)
• Data protection statement (in Finnish)