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

The aim of the evaluation

Liberal adult education is based on the principles of lifelong learning that supports the integrity of society, equality and active citizenship. The goal of education organised as liberal adult education is to promote people’s versatile development, wellbeing and the realisation of democracy, pluralism, sustainable development, multiculturality and internationalisation. Liberal adult education emphasises voluntary learning, communality, and inclusion. (Act on Liberal Adult Education 632/1998.)

In the evaluation, we will produce information on the societal importance of liberal adult education and how accessible the education activities in liberal adult education are. The evaluation will also produce information on the strengths and enhancement areas in liberal adult education in relation to the objectives set for the activities. All educational institutions providing liberal adult education participate in the evaluation: adult education centres, folk high schools, summer universities, sports institutes and study centres.

The objectives, evaluation areas, methods, evaluation questions, and timeline of the evaluation will be specified in the evaluation project plan to be published later on this website.

Evaluation team and commenting group

The evaluation will be carried out by an evaluation team appointed by the FINEEC Director on 24 April 2025:

• CEO Lauri Tuomi, Kvs Foundation (chairperson)
• Research manager Paula Alanen, Silta-Valmennusyhdistys ra
• Principal Tarja Hooli, Tornio Adult Education Center
• Research team Leader, Senior scientist Kirsi Hyytinen, VTT
• Professor Harri Jalonen, University of Vaasa
• Professor Jyri Manninen, University of Eastern Finland.

The evaluation team 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, Toimihenkilöjärjestöjen Opintoliitto ry
• Education Manager, Quality Assurance 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.

For further information, please contact Sirpa Moitus, Project Manager for the evaluation, or Kirsi Mustonen, Senior Evaluation Advisor (available until 13 June 2025).