IZOBRAŽEVANJE ODRASLIH ZA RAZVOJ LOKALNE SKUPNOSTI: IZKUŠNJE ČEZMEJNIH ŠTUDIJSKIH KROŽKOV ADULT EDUCATION FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: A CROSS-BORDER EXPERIENCE OF STUDY CIRCLES

The relationship between adult education and local community development is emphasised by the contextualisation of study circles in the cross-border area along the border between Italy and Slovenia. The sistem of crossborder study circles development is described on the basis of local challenges framed in the theory of human and social capital. Pedagogical model of study circles, well developed in Slovenia, is used. New dimensions development and empirical data are provided by EU project. Monitoring evidence stimulated educational demand of local community on various levels of activity (training programme for mentors, study circles, stakeholders round tables) and offer at the same time. The project described is demonstrating the possibility of building a local system of study circles linked to local development in the border area through multi-level approach and the direct involvement of the various stakeholders. Final discussion underlines vertical and horizontal integration importance, typical for long-term bottom up development. Diversity of learning devices and the role of intermediary level provide a greater degree of creativity and initiative than the formal educational system, but only when it is recognised and empowered by the top-down decision making.