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Liberal Adult Education


Liberal adult education institutions offer grassroots education and continuous learning to all citizens nationwide in Finland. The aim of liberal adult education is to promote social cohesion, equality and active citizenship. The aim is also to support the well-being and versatile development of the citizens.


Liberal adult education institutions provide non-formal education. Liberal adult education institutions include adult education centres, folk high schools, learning centres, sports training centres and summer universities.

Annually 1,1 million citizens take part in offered courses. Courses are nearly free of charge.

New active citizenship, including the ecosocial viewpoint, is a key principle in liberal adult education.

Especially low- educated people, as refugees and immigrants, take part in tailored courses. Basic skills; literacy, writing, numeracy and digital skills, are actual topics of courses as well as Finnish language, working life and society orientation courses.