Introduction

The overall aim of the OSMOSYS project is to break the barriers between corporate, formal and informal learning by reviewing and introducing a context-based approach to modeling Adult Learning Centers (ALC) and a negotiated and integrated way to report learning results.

The project seeks to develop a concerted and proactive action regarding the setbacks that employees of SMOs (Small & Medium Organisations) and SMEs are facing by:

• Studying the state of the art of Adult Learning Centres regarding the integration of learning provisions developed in non formal and informal contexts.
• Integrating and presenting best practice with regard to the project specific aims and work hypothesis
• Designing and developing a tool able to consider the relevant dimensions and criteria underlying the identified ALC models.
• Testing several operational approaches of LLL opportunities provision to employees of SMOs through ALCs, by constituting local networks of SMOs and public-private partnerships for the development of ALC.
• Conducting an experimental activity related to the ePortfolio use within the models of ALC considered by the project.
• Adapting the conceived framework and approach and diffuse them and the ePortfolio to the participating countries/regions.

The OSMOSYS project is expected to have impact on “hard to reach” adult learners, under-represented in the participation in LLL opportunities, improving their accessibility, stimulating demand for learning among adult employees of SMOs and valuing the knowledge and competencies they have acquired through informal and non-formal learning.

Main Deliverables

• A series of national consensus building seminars for policy makers and learning support seminars
• State of the art report on existing Adult Learning Centres (ALCs) in Europe
• Best practice case study report
• 7 pilot projects for prototypes of ALCs (Adult Learning Centres) in partner countries
• European conference

Partners

• SWEDISH AGENCY FOR FLEXIBLE LEARNING (SE), Coordinator
• FIM NEW LEARNING (DE)
• IMFE (ES)
• EIfEL (FR)
• SCIENTER, (IT)
• F.A.PER (IT)
• CAREER WALES (UK)
• POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST (RO)

Other information

Starting date: October 2004; duration: 24 months

OSMOSYS is funded under SOCRATES PROGRAMME, GRUNDTVIG 1 - European Cooperation Projects