More technical and financial support in needed in Turkey

Posted: 2025-11-21 / Category: Turkey country reports > Turkey 2024-2025

There have been some developments in Turkey since the last report. In 2024, the Presidential Savings Circular was implemented to support the country’s economic stabilisation efforts. As a result, apart from courses addressing the basic needs of adults and those with specific social priorities, the overall variety of adult learning programmes has been reduced. Digital skills programs prepared at the national level have also been continuously implemented in the Public Education Centres.

According to Uluslararasi Hayat Boyu Öğrenme Derneği (UHBÖDER), the Turkish International Lifelong Learning Association, many adults are unable to afford participation in learning opportunities, and funding from the European Union remains insufficient to achieve national adult education goals.

This Country Report has been conducted with the support of Uluslararasi Hayat Boyu Öğrenme Derneği (UHBÖDER).

Skills dimension

Addressing labour market needs is crucial for boosting competitiveness, and the shift towards “skills” marks an important step. However, the relegation of "education" and "lifelong learning" to the background poses certain risks.

UHBÖDER explains:

“Focusing on skills helps individuals acquire competencies for specific job roles; however, neglecting a broader educational perspective may limit their social and cultural development. Therefore, a balance between skills development and education should be maintained, ensuring that the learning process not only prepares individuals for the labour market but also contributes to their personal growth”.

AI in adult learning

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used in the internal work of the organisation, for example, for communication and dissemination of educational projects on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) issues.

Turkish member's view on the PIAAC results

UHBÖDER agrees the PIAAC results are representative of the situation in their country.

Funding of adult education

According to UHBÖDER, the funding situation of adult education in Turkey has slightly deteriorated in 2024-2025.

The member organisation mentions multiple sources of funding, including:

project funding
programme funding (contracts of education authorities with learning providers to deliver certain learning programmes/courses to certain target groups)
operating grants/structural funding (funding for the learning providers to maintain and develop their work, including funding for administration and management of learning activities)
contribution paid by employers
paid training leave

Recommendation to the European Commission

UHBÖDER recommends the EU to provide technical and financial support and foster cooperation for the development of basic life skills and vocational qualifications of marginalised and unreachable segments of society within the scope of lifelong learning.Disclaimer on the participation in education and training data: the data focuses on formal and non-formal education and training, excluding guided on-the-job training. Participation is higher when on-the-job training is included. Data coming from sources such as OECD and the monitoring framework of the European Pillar of Social Rights may differ from the presented data.