What does inclusive adult education look like when it is designed around real lives, real barriers, and real opportunities? This was the central question guiding the SHE-LEARNS Study Visit held in Maribor, Slovenia, from 14–15 May 2026.
Over two intensive days, partners of the SHE-LEARNS project gathered to move the Digital Toolkit for Adult Educators from concept into practical testing. Hosted by IPES – Gender Equality Research Institute, the meeting brought together five delegations from four European countries to discuss each module, assess its implementation and applicability, and reflect on how the toolkit can respond to the realities of single mothers across different national contexts.
Around the table in Maribor were partners from Slovenia, Cyprus, Germany, and Romania, each bringing different expertise and local realities into the conversation. Carierista was represented by Alina Ungureanu and Maria-Alina Sitescu; The Center for Not-for-profit Law (CLNR) by Claudia Petrescu, Elisa Goraș and Gabriel Stănilă; Gender Equality Research Institute (IPES) by Zala Primorac and Jaro Samobor; Make Mothers Matter (MMM) by Freweini Abate and Amira Bieber from Pro Arbeit Kreis Offenbach AöR in Germany; and People Forward Strategy & Training Consultants by Andria Nikolaidou and Kathy Kattashis (founder of MITRA Cyprus Menopause Centre).
The sessions focused on reviewing and piloting each module of the SHE-LEARNS toolkit, including:
-re-engagement and learning activation,
-digital literacy and inclusion,
-financial literacy and economic resilience,
-employability and transition pathways,
-wellbeing, resilience, and sustainability.
Throughout the workshops and reflection sessions, partners discussed not only the practical applicability of the modules but also their emotional impact, accessibility, cultural adaptability, and relevance for single mothers in different national contexts.
One of the most valuable aspects of the study visit was the open exchange between countries. While many challenges faced by single mothers were shared across Europe, such as financial insecurity, limited access to flexible education, emotional overload, and difficulties balancing caregiving with employment, each delegation also highlighted important local realities that influence participation in adult education.
Partners discussed differences in:
-labour market structures,
-social welfare systems,
-childcare accessibility,
-cultural expectations around motherhood,
-digital access and literacy,
– availability of community support structures.
At the same time, there was strong consensus around the need for adult education approaches that are trauma-informed, flexible, psychologically safe, and rooted in dignity rather than deficit-based assumptions.
The pilot implementation sessions allowed participants to actively test toolkit activities and evaluate how they function in real educational settings. Discussions often went beyond methodology, exploring deeper questions around emotional safety, shame, confidence-building, employability, and economic independence. The group reflected on how educational programmes can recognise the invisible skills many single mothers already possess, including resilience, adaptability, crisis management, and caregiving competencies.
The study visit also created space for meaningful peer learning between organisations with diverse expertise. CLNR brought extensive experience in legal advocacy, lifelong learning, and strengthening civil society. IPES contributed its expertise in gender equality research, inclusive education, and combating structural discrimination. People Forward shared its background in adult education innovation, strategic consulting, and social impact methodologies. MITRA Cyprus Menopause Centre contributed perspectives connected to women’s wellbeing, inclusion, and support systems, while Make Mothers Matter (MMM) brought its international advocacy experience focused on recognising and supporting mothers as essential changemakers. Carierista contributed its direct experience supporting underserved women through employability programmes, mentorship, and economic empowerment initiatives. Pro Arbeit Kreis Offenbach AöR also enriched the discussions through its experience working on labour market integration and employability pathways in Germany.
Beyond the formal sessions, the setting itself contributed to the spirit of collaboration. Maribor, Slovenia’s second-largest city and a centre for culture, education, and regional exchange, provided an inspiring backdrop for discussions about inclusion, resilience, and social innovation. Participants also had the opportunity to experience the city’s cultural atmosphere, historic centre, and strong sense of community.
The study visit reaffirmed a shared understanding among partners: supporting single mothers in education and employment requires more than isolated training activities. It requires holistic, flexible, and human-centred systems that recognise structural inequalities while creating real pathways toward independence, confidence, and long-term sustainability.
As the SHE-LEARNS project continues, the insights gathered in Maribor will directly contribute to refining the final Digital Toolkit and ensuring that it remains practical, adaptable, and responsive to the realities faced by adult educators and single mothers across Europe.