The national desk researches in the frame of UPthEM project established baseline knowledge for the design of the UPthEM training programme for disadvantaged learners. The researches were conducted in all partner countries in the period January - April 2020. The research maps out the situation of adult education in the five participating countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Poland, Romania and Spain, in terms of policies, programmes, and links between educational institutions and the business. Further, the researched reviews the formal and informal training in entrepreneurship in the countries.
The project team reviewed and analysed statistical data (comparative where necessary), educational and training programmes, political and strategic documents in the countries to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats regarding policies and practices in the entrepreneurship training in each of the five countries. A particular focus was given on adult learning and disadvantaged learners.
The research concludes that the educational systems need to adopt a set of measures towards higher degree of institutionalization of adult learning and the training of disadvantaged adults. Key conclusion of the research results is that it is necessary to strengthen entrepreneurial education of adult disadvantaged learners. The gaps, apart from those that apply to all adult learners, that the UPthEM programme has to address are as follows: stronger attention directed at raising the qualifications and supporting educators who work with disadvantaged groups, tailored training programmes, recognition of the qualifications, awarded by such programmes.
