What happens when learning becomes more than the acquisition of knowledge and skills? What happens when it becomes a journey towards a deeper understanding of ourselves, our work and our relationships with others? These are precisely the kinds of experiences explored by the 2026 EPALE Community Stories initiative, which highlights the powerful connections between personal and professional growth in adult learning.
Three inspiring stories from Slovenia have already been published. In her story Staying in the Dance, Ema Meden reflects on her participation in an Erasmus+ training course in the Czech Republic. Through contact improvisation and embodied learning, she arrived at an unexpected insight: sometimes the greatest challenge is not leaving, but staying. Her story illustrates how adult learning can extend far beyond competence development and become a space for reflection, presence and personal transformation.
Anja Colja offers a different but equally inspiring perspective in her story From Grammar to Cups of Tea. Drawing on her experience of teaching English to adults in Tolmin, she describes how a traditional language course gradually evolved into an inclusive learning community where learning, mutual support, social interaction and a sense of belonging became just as important as grammar and vocabulary. Her story demonstrates that adult education often creates much more than new knowledge: it builds relationships, trust and community.
The importance of community and shared learning is also at the heart of Alenka Štrukelj’s story Reading Connects Communities and Encourages Mutual Learning. Through her personal and professional journey, she shows how reading is not merely an individual activity but also a powerful way of bringing people together, fostering dialogue and strengthening lifelong learning. Her story reminds us that genuine understanding is often created through conversation and the exchange of perspectives.
These stories reveal dimensions of adult learning that are difficult to measure using conventional indicators of success. They remind us that meaningful learning outcomes often require time, relationships and a willingness to remain open to the unexpected.
Interested in finding out more?
Explore the EPALE Community Stories section, where educators and adult learning professionals from across Europe share how learning has shaped their lives, professional practice and sense of purpose.
➡ Read Ema Meden’s story: Staying in the Dance
➡ Read Anja Colja’s story: From Grammar to Cups of Tea
➡ Read Alenka Štrukelj’s story: Reading Connects Communities and Encourages Mutual Learning
➡ Explore EPALE Community Stories and meet adult learning professionals from across Europe
Contribute your story
Do you have an inspiring experience to share?
EPALE welcomes contributions from adult learning professionals, educators, researchers and practitioners. Share your reflections, resources, project results or examples of good practice with the wider European adult learning community.
Join EPALE, submit your content, engage with other members and become part of a growing network committed to lifelong learning across Europe.
Špela Močilnikar (spela.mocilnikar@cmepius.si), CMEPIUS; prepared with editorial support from AI tools.