Bringing Erasmus+ adult learning 0pportunities to rural communities
The training activity, held in Estremoz, Portugal, demonstrated the value of taking international learning opportunities directly to rural regions.
Camila Rodrigues
One of the greatest strengths of the Erasmus+ Programme is its ability to bring learning opportunities closer to people and communities. Yet, too often, international training activities and educational events remain concentrated in major cities, making participation more difficult for people living in rural and inland territories.
The recent Erasmus+ Skillful AID training activity, held in Estremoz, Portugal, demonstrated the value of taking international learning opportunities directly to rural regions and creative communities that are frequently overlooked.
Over two days, entrepreneurs, artisans and creative professionals from Portugal were joined by a delegation of partners and craftspeople from Romania to explore topics related to creative entrepreneurship, business sustainability, resilience and digital promotion. Beyond the formal training programme, participants engaged in peer learning, networking and the exchange of experiences that lie at the heart of the Erasmus+ philosophy.
For many local participants, the event represented a rare opportunity to access international training without having to travel to a major urban centre. This is particularly important in regions where educational opportunities, professional networks and specialised training events are often less accessible.
Several participants highlighted this aspect in their feedback, noting how valuable it was to have a high-quality international learning experience taking place in their own region. Such initiatives help reduce barriers to participation and ensure that adult learning opportunities reach a wider and more diverse audience:
“It was a truly significant event for the local community in the countryside, where access to this type of event is often limited or nonexistent”.
The project also included an international exchange of experiences involving six visitors from Romania. During their stay, they visited the Redondo Flower Streets Workshop, the Pottery Museum in Redondo, the Municipal Museum of Estremoz and several local artisan workshops.
These visits offered much more than cultural tourism. They created opportunities for dialogue between craftspeople, entrepreneurs and community organisations, allowing participants to reflect on how local traditions, cultural heritage and community engagement can contribute to sustainable economic development.
The Romanian participants were particularly impressed by the remarkable example of the Redondo Flower Streets. This unique initiative combines strong municipal support with active citizen participation to create extraordinary street art installations that attract thousands of visitors and generate significant benefits for the local economy. It is a powerful example of how culture and community involvement can become drivers of local development.
Equally inspiring was the discovery of the region’s millennia-old pottery tradition and the rich artistic heritage preserved in Estremoz, including the famous Estremoz Clay Figures, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Experiences such as these remind us that adult education does not happen only in classrooms. It happens through encounters, exchanges, cultural experiences and conversations that allow people to learn from one another and discover new perspectives.
As Erasmus+ continues to promote inclusion, participation and lifelong learning, it is essential that more projects consider rural and inland communities not simply as beneficiaries, but as active hosts and contributors to European cooperation. These territories possess valuable knowledge, strong community networks and rich cultural traditions that can inspire learners from across Europe.
Bringing Erasmus+ activities to rural areas is not only a question of accessibility. It is also a way of recognising the educational, cultural and social value that these communities have to offer.
The experience of Skillful AID in the Alentejo showed that when European cooperation meets local knowledge, everyone benefits.