Partner Spotlight: VUB

What is VUB's role in the EmpowerED project and explain what motivated your institution to join this partnership?

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) will mainly lead the development of the Microcredentials Platform. It will also conduct a literature review to identify evidence-based interventions and best practices in adult financial numeracy education. Furthermore, it will develop standardized evaluation tools to assess learners' knowledge, satisfaction, and reflective thinking, helping ensure the platform supports effective learning. Our motivation for joining the EmpowerED partnership comes from VUB's commitment to advancing inclusive, evidence-based education and developing innovative learning solutions that empower adult learners through personalized learning opportunities.

VUB has extensive experience in adult education and educational innovation. How will thisexpertise contribute to the development of the EmpowerED microcredentials?

The Brussels Research Centre on Innovation in Learning and Diversity (BILD), based at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, has extensive experience in research and projects that promote and support learning within educational systems. With it’s Learner-Centred Practices & Education Systems unit, BILD will contribute to the development of microcredentials by designing digital learning experiences that are not abstract or theoretical but directly connected to professional practice and real-world scenarios that promote constructive feedback, deep learning, reflection, and formative assessment.

Financial literacy and numeracy are often addressed separately. Why is it important to integrate these skills when supporting adults at risk of poverty?

Numeracy and financial literacy are closely connected. Numeracy helps people understand and work with numbers, while financial literacy enables them to apply those skills to everyday financial decisions. Integrating both is important for adults at risk of poverty because it helps them budget, manage debt, understand financial information, and make informed decisions that can improve their financial well-being.

From your research perspective, what are the biggest challenges adults face when trying to improve their financial literacy skills?

From our research perspective, one of the main challenges is bridging the gap between knowledge and practice. Adults need learning opportunities that are practical, relevant to their everyday lives, and tailored to their individual needs. Other challenge is that many adults have limited opportunities to develop financial literacy skills later in life. They may also lack the numeracy skills needed to confidently understand financial information and make informed decisions.

How do you expect the EmpowerED learning platform and microcredentials to create long-term impact for adult learners and educators across Europe?

We expect the EmpowerED microcredentials to make high-quality financial literacy education more accessible and flexible for adult learners across Europe. We will follow a learner-centered design contextualizing numeracy and financial knowlegde in real-life scenarios.This pedagogical approach will enhance motivation, transfer and retention. Futhermore, they will allow learners to have their achievements recognized through small, meaningful certifications that can support lifelong learning and, potentially, their employability.

What message would you like to share with local stakeholders, educators and learners?

We hope EmpowerED inspires educators and local stakeholders to make financial education more accessible, practical, small and learner-centered. Even improvements in financial knowledge and numeracy can make a meaningful difference in poeple's everyday lives.

Carolina Santillano Tellez from the VUB got interviewed by Ioana Sandu.