Annual Conference of the EBSN
Basic Skills for Life, Work and Democratic Participation in Times of Transformation
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Join Europe’s leading conference on adult basic skills – connecting policy, research and practice across Europe.
17-19 June 2026
Lisbon, Portugal
EBSN in cooperation with the CLUNL – Research Center for Linguistics at NOVA University Lisbon.
From 17 to 19 June 2026, the European Basic Skills Network (EBSN) will bring policymakers, researchers, practitioners, educators and adult learning professionals together in Lisbon, Portugal for its Annual Conference 2026. Under the theme “Basic Skills for Life, Work and Democratic Participation in Times of Transformation”, the conference will explore how adult basic skills can help people navigate change, participate fully in society and build more secure futures.
Why Attend?
At a time when adult basic skills are gaining renewed attention across Europe, the EBSN Annual Conference 2026 offers a unique space to connect policy, research and practice.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
explore current European policy developments on adult basic skills
learn from practices and initiatives supporting adults in real-life contexts
engage with approaches that connect learning, work, inclusion and democratic participation
exchange insights with peers from across countries, sectors and professional backgrounds
build new collaborations and partnerships for future projects and initiatives
The conference is designed to support exchange, reflection and collaboration, helping participants identify practical solutions and transferable approaches that can be adapted in their own contexts.
Pre-conference Programme:
Networking and Exchange of Good Practices
Ahead of the General Assembly on Wednesday afternoon, participants will be able to join an additional morning programme focused on networking, exchange and peer learning. This part of the event is designed to create space for participants to connect, share experiences and discuss inspiring practices and initiatives relevant to adult basic skills.
The pre-conference programme will also contribute to strengthening EBSN as a community of practice and to exploring how the network’s impact in policy and practice can be further developed. We are also exploring the possibility of including a local visit to a relevant basic skills initiative or provider in Lisbon. Further details on the exact format of the Wednesday morning programme will be confirmed soon.
The programme is expected to begin at around 10:00 on Wednesday, 17 June, and lunch will be included for participants joining this part of the event.
A Conference for Exchange, Learning and Collaboration
The EBSN Annual Conference 2026 will offer a collaborative space for learning, dialogue and exchange. Participants will have the opportunity to:
engage with current European debates on adult basic skills
learn from policy, practice and research across countries
discover promising approaches and initiatives
exchange ideas with peers from different sectors and backgrounds
build new professional connections and potential collaborations
European exchange
Policy, practice and research
3 days in Lisbon
Registration is now open
Participants can now register for the EBSN Annual Conference 2026. The programme is currently being developed and will be updated as speakers and sessions are confirmed.
Time & Venue
17-19 June 2026
Lisbon, Portugal
Hosted in cooperation with the CLUNL – Research Center for Linguistics at NOVA University Lisbon.
Colégio Almada Negreiros
Programme information
The conference programme is currently being finalised. More details on sessions, speakers and the Wednesday opening programme will be shared soon.
Participation fee
Registration is available for both full participation (3 days) and conference participation (2 days). Fees depend on the selected participation option and participant category. Choose your participation option:
Full Participation
17–19 June 2026
(Pre-conference + Conference)
Best value – full experience
(EBSN members, presenters, local participants)
Conference Participation
18–19 June 2026
(EBSN members, presenters, local participants)
Additional Information
- The fee does not include travel, accommodation or additional meals.
- After registration, participants will receive an invoice by email.
- Please ensure that any transfer costs are covered by the participant.
For Cancellation Policy please see the General Terms and Conditions
FAQ
Practical information for participants
Here you can find out more information on travel to the venue of the event and other useful information.
Practical information for participants will be available here soon. This section will include useful details on the conference venue, accommodation, travel and other information to help you plan your visit to Lisbon.
Organizers
We look forward to welcoming you to Lisbon for three days of inspiring discussions, hands-on learning, and collaborative exchange. Save the date, and be part of shaping the future of adult basic skills policies and practices in Europe!
To spread the news of the work we are creating together, feel free to share your experiences on social media and use the #EBSN #EBSN2026 #EBSNconference hashtags and tag @EBSN.
For more technical and practical information about the conference, please get in touch with us through e-mail: secretariat@basicskills.eu.
For updates please follow our social media accounts!