1. Use of ESF Evaluation Findings
in Austria
Regina Barth (Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, the Arts and Culture)
Elfriede Wagner (Institute for Advanced Studies)

2. Main Results of the Evaluation so far
• The quantitative realisation of the OP proceeds well
• The ESF significantly contributes to the reduction of discriminations
The guiding principles of the LLL Strategy
are widely implemented and have proven as successful
• The participants’ overall satisfaction is very high

3. The main principles of the Austrian Lifelong Learning (LLL)
Strategy are the following
Life-stage orientation
Putting learners at the centre
Lifelong Guidance
Competence orientation
Support/Promoting participation in LLL

4. Basic Education and the Acquisition of Educational Qualifications
Results: Unequally distributed supply; overall too little supply
Measures: national programme starting 2012 aiming at extending supply step by step
Results: Well implemented LLL-principles => higher participant satisfaction, higher success rates & personal outcomes
Measures: Call for transfer projects implementing LLL-principles

5. • Basic education / lower secondary level courses
Results: Attendance fees are barriers to access and should be removed
Measures: in the national programme attendance is free of charge
• Higher secondary level courses
Results: LLL-principles less well implemented; disadvantaged target group not reached
Measures: courses no longer part of the ESF; specific projects focusing on minority and disadvantaged groups will be started 2012

6. Impartial Guidance and Counselling
Results: Unequal portfolios of methods (e.g. lack of competence assessment procedures)
Measures: implementation of these methods from 2012
Results: Disadvantaged target group not satisfactorily reached
Measures: pilot projects aiming at new methods of counselling addressing adults in their communities and at establishing networks with institutions targeting disadvantaged groups

7. Professionalizing
Results: Trainers` continuing education could be extended by funding through employers
Measures: financial support granted by the Federal Ministry
Results: Insufficient data collection (participant monitoring system)
Measures: by Federal Ministry to urge institutions to provide the relevant data