The contribution reports about results of a comparative observation and analysis of the expenditure for adult education (AE) in a set of five countries, relates the expenditure to participation and institutional traits, and reflects about the different levels and patterns of financing in relation to strategies for the future development of AE. A main purpose was to observe as much as possible in an explorative way the overall expenditure for AE, and to get a first overview about the relationship between financing and structures of AE.

A main aim of the study was to acquire comparative and comprehensive information about the levels of financing in states from different welfare regimes (Nordic: Sweden, Finland; liberal: UK/Scotland, Australia; Austria as a continental country), and to observe the different sources of the expenditure by broad categories (individuals, the state, enterprises). The distribution of financing allows to some extent to control broad policy strategies, a high proportion of individuals signifying liberal policies, a high proportion of enterprises signifying corporatist policies, and a high proportion of the state signifying high public responsibility for AE. These patterns are also analysed with respect to variables about participation in AE, distinguished by vocational and non-vocational purposes. These steps give some hints about how the level and structure of financing relates to very basic patterns of participation. The main purpose of the study was on the national level, to better understand the Austrian structures by mirroring them through the comparison; however, the study also contributes information about the other countries selected.

Boeren, E., Nicaise, I., & Baert, H. (2010). Theoretical models of participation in adult education: the need for an integrated model. International Journal of Lifelong Education 29(1), 45-61. Desjardins, R., & Rubenson, K. (2013). Participation patterns in adult education: the role of institutions and public policy frameworks in resolving coordination problems. European Journal of Education 48(2), 262-280. Heissenberger, S., Mark, V., Schramm, S.; Sniesko, P.; & Süss, R.S. (Eds.) (2010). Uni brennt. Grundsätzliches, Kritisches, Atmosphärisches. Vienna: Turia & Kant. Hummelsheim, S. (2010). Finanzierung der Weiterbildung in Deutschland. Bielefeld: DIE. Erwachsenenbildung.at (n.d.). KEBÖ-Konferenz der Erwachsenenbildung Österreichs. Retrieved from http://erwachsenenbildung.at/themen/eb_in_oesterreich/organisation/keboe.php Kilpi-Jakonen, E., Vono de Vilhena, D., & Blossfeld, H.-P. (2015). Adult learning and social inequalities: Processes of equalisation or cumulative disadvantage? International Review of Education 61, 529–546. Lassnigg, L. (2011). Contradictions in adult education structures and policies in Austria: their interrelation with the professional development of educators. European Journal for Research on the Education and Learning of Adults, 2(1), 37-55. Lassnigg, L. (2015). Modernisierung, Reflexivität, Globalisierung. Überlegungen zur Zukunft der Theorie und Praxis von Erwachsenenbildung. Magazin erwachsenenbildung.at, No.25, Vienna. Retrieved from http://erwachsenenbildung.at/magazin/15-25/03_lassnigg.pdf Lassnigg, L., Vogtenhuber, S., & Osterhaus, I. (2012). Finanzierung von Erwachsenen- und Weiterbildung in Österreich und in ausgewählten Vergleichsländern. IHS-research report commissioned by Arbeiterkammer Wien. Retrieved from URL: www.equi.at/dateien/AK-IHS-EB-Kovgl.pdf, http://www.equi.at/dateien/AK-IHS-strat.pdf Lenz, W. (Ed.) (1994). Modernisierung der Erwachsenenbildung. Vienna: Böhlau. Rees, G. (2013). Comparing adult learning systems: an emerging political economy. European Journal of Education 48(2), 200-212. Republik Österreich. (2011). LLL:2020. Strategie zum lebensbegleitenden Lernen in Österreich. Vienna. Retrieved from http://www.esf.at/esf/wp-content/uploads/LLL-Strategiepapier_20111.pdf Rubenson, K., & Desjardins, R. (2009). The impact of welfare state regimes on barriers to participation in adult education. A bounded agency model. Adult Education Quarterly 59(3), 187-207. Williams, J., McNair, S., & Aldridge, F. (2010). Expenditure and funding models in lifelong learning. A Context Paper. National Institute of Adult Continuing Education. Leicester. Retrieved from www.niace.org.uk/lifelonglearninginquiry/docs/Expenditure-funding-models.pdf