In early April 2026, Public Open University Čakovec welcomed Marcial Terrádez Gurrea, a Spanish language teacher working in adult education at CEEDCV in Valencia, Spain. He visited Čakovec as part of an Erasmus+ job shadowing activity, with the aim of gaining insight into our educational practices, the Croatian adult education system and the opportunities that arise when education, digital technologies and European cooperation are integrated into everyday practice.
The week in Čakovec was not designed as a series of formal presentations, but rather as an opportunity for professional exchange, collaborative learning and reflection. From the very first day, discussions focused on issues relevant to both the Croatian and Spanish contexts: how to make it easier for adult learners to return to education, how to better align educational programmes with labour market needs, how to support individuals who face barriers to accessing education, and how to use digital tools in ways that genuinely enhance learning.
We began by introducing Marcial to the work of Public Open University Čakovec, an institution with many years of experience in adult education. He was particularly interested in programmes designed for different groups of learners, ranging from unemployed adults and those with lower levels of educational attainment to individuals seeking to develop new digital or vocational competences. Throughout our discussions, we repeatedly returned to a central question: how can we make education more accessible, practical and relevant for adults returning to learning after a long break or entering education from widely differing personal and professional circumstances?
In early April 2026, Public Open University Čakovec welcomed Marcial Terrádez Gurrea, a Spanish language teacher working in adult education at CEEDCV in Valencia, Spain. He visited Čakovec as part of an Erasmus+ job shadowing activity, with the aim of gaining insight into our educational practices, the Croatian adult education system and the opportunities that arise when education, digital technologies and European cooperation are integrated into everyday practice.
The week in Čakovec was not designed as a series of formal presentations, but rather as an opportunity for professional exchange, collaborative learning and reflection. From the very first day, discussions focused on issues relevant to both the Croatian and Spanish contexts: how to make it easier for adult learners to return to education, how to better align educational programmes with labour market needs, how to support individuals who face barriers to accessing education, and how to use digital tools in ways that genuinely enhance learning.
We began by introducing Marcial to the work of Public Open University Čakovec, an institution with many years of experience in adult education. He was particularly interested in programmes designed for different groups of learners, ranging from unemployed adults and those with lower levels of educational attainment to individuals seeking to develop new digital or vocational competences. Throughout our discussions, we repeatedly returned to a central question: how can we make education more accessible, practical and relevant for adults returning to learning after a long break or entering education from widely differing personal and professional circumstances?
Public Open University Čakovec therefore recommends Erasmus+ job shadowing as a valuable and highly practical form of professional development. Such mobility activities provide opportunities to compare educational systems, exchange teaching methods and professional practices, develop digital and andragogical competences, and establish new European partnerships. Public Open University Čakovec remains committed to participating in Erasmus+ activities, including KA1 mobility activities and KA2 cooperation projects. We also remain open to hosting future mobility activities for colleagues from European institutions who wish to explore adult education in the Croatian context, exchange experiences and work together to develop innovative educational approaches.
Public Open University Čakovec holds Erasmus+ accreditation in the field of adult education, valid until 2027. Based on our experiences so far, which have been overwhelmingly positive, we encourage other organisations working in adult education to apply for their own accreditation by 29 September 2026. Erasmus+ accreditation truly serves as a membership card to the Erasmus family, opening the door to numerous opportunities for international cooperation, professional development and educational innovation.
Have an idea for cooperation? Contact us at project@pou-cakovec.hr or visit our website at pou-cakovec.hr.
