What is Folkbildning?
‘Folkbildning’ is about the life-long right of all people to freely seek knowledge. ‘Folkbildning’ is free and voluntary, and participants decide themselves both if they want to participate and what they want to do. Folkuniversitetet is one of ten education associations in Sweden that are involved in ‘folkbildning’.
The word ’folkbildning’ is hard to translate into English. Sometimes it is called liberal or popular adult education, but it means more than that.
Folkbildning has a long tradition in Sweden. It is still important today and has changed over time to meet new needs in society. One reason it stays relevant is because it allows for new and creative ways of learning.
In folkbildning, the participants help shape the course. They decide what to learn and how. The learning is based on their own needs and experiences. There are no grades. Both practical and theoretical skills are valued.
Study associations and folk high schools get government funding to offer folkbildning. The government gives general guidelines on how the money should be used but does not control the work. Each organization decides how to run its programs. Folkbildning operations should be designed based on each study association’s own nature and profile, and should be versatile and flexible to quickly meet new educational needs. Folkbildning should also be available in all parts of the country.
The purpose of folkbildning
The folkbildning bill of 2006 states that the government’s purpose of folkbildning funding is to:
- Support operations that help strengthen and develop democracy
- Contribute to increased diversity among people who can influence their lives and encourage commitment to participating in social development (for example through political, labour union, cultural or other non-profit work)
- Help close educational gaps and raise the educational level in society
- Help broaden the interest and participation in cultural life
Folkuniversitetet’s operations are based on the individual participant’s preconditions. The concept of folkbildning – the universal, life-long right to freely acquire new knowledge – permeates our education, our organisation and our values.