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This study investigates the cross-sector cooperation at national level and analyses existing national cultures related to lifelong learning and the extent to which they are in line with EU policies and recommendations in five European countries. There is a specific focus on cross-sector cooperation, consultation of civil society by policy-makers and understanding of the lifelong learning concept by national, regional and local organisations. Results show that there is no shared meaning of lifelong learning at local and national levels as perceived by the responding organisations, and lack of awareness of EU policies. Moreover, stakeholders feel that there is limited consistence between the strategy written in papers and the implementation in reality.

Overall, educational institutions and civil society organisations are not satisfied with the current level of cooperation with public authorities and regret the lack of communication on national policies which results in weak dialogue with policy-makers. The respondents consider that this is a consequence of a widespread disinterest of the authorities for such cooperation and dialogue. In addition, this is also due to the limited human and financial resources of the various education stakeholders' to engage in policy-making. A large majority of respondents would be interested in having lifelong learning platforms at national or regional level in order to exchange best practices, develop new partnerships and be more informed about local, regional, national and EU levels in the field of education.

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