1. f a c t s h e e t
Ministry of Education and Research
U07.006 • April 2007
Liberal adult education (folkbildning), which has a long history in Swedish social life, is provided by folk high
schools (folkhögskolor) and adult education associations (studieförbund). The hallmark of Liberal adult education
is that it is ‘free and voluntary’, i.e. free from central government control and voluntary for its participants.
Liberal adult education
in Sweden
Unlike other educational institutions, folk high
schools are not required to follow centrally establis-
hed curricula. The freedom to determine its own
activities and educational profile affords each folk
high school considerable scope to design and tailor its
courses to suit a range of target groups.
Studies are often inter-disciplinary with project-
oriented courses based on participants’ needs, pre-
vious knowledge and experience. Students can bring
their collective influence to bear on the direction and
content of their studies.
Adult education associations
The eight adult education associations differ in terms
of aims and orientation. Each has a central adminis-
trative office and a varying number of local branches
and/or districts countrywide. The associations, along
with their principals, normally form part of a popular
movement.
Activities are based on participants’ experience,
needs and previous knowledge.
In addition to study circles, adult education associa-
tions are responsible for a broad range of cultural
activities, filling a particularly important function in
the 250 municipalities without state cultural institu-
tions.
Information about study circles, etc. offered locally
can be obtained at local and district branches of each
association.
The responsibility for allocating government grants
and evaluating performance rests with the Swedish
National Council of Adult Education (FBR), a non-
profit organisation comprising three members: the
National Federation of Study Associations, the Swe-
dish Association of Local Authorities and Regions
and the Interest Organisation for Popular Movement
Folk High Schools (RIO).
The central government block grant is currently
shared among 148 folk high schools and eight adult
education associations. Government guidelines inclu-
de a statement of the purpose of the grant – to help
strengthen democracy and intensify commitment
to and participation in the development of society,
among other aims – and set out applicable reporting
requirements.
Courses offered by folk high schools and adult
education association study circles and cultural acti-
vities are open to everyone and cover a wide range of
subjects.
Folk high schools
Of the 148 folk high schools, over 100 are run by
popular movements (NGOs), non-profit bodies and
support associations, some 40 are the responsibility
of county councils and regions, and one comes under
municipal management.
Ministry of Education and Research
Sweden
SE-103 33 Stockholm, Sweden
Phone switchboard +46 8 405 10 00
You can read more about adult education on the Swedish Government website at www.regeringen.se.
Additional copies of this fact sheet may be ordered from the Ministry of Education and Research, fax.
+46 8 723 11 92 or e-mail: info.order@education.ministry.se. The fact sheet is also available on the
Ministry of Education and Research website at www.regeringen.se/utbildning. Questions relating to
the fact sheet or its contents may be addressed to Anna-Karin Jansson, Tel. +46 8 405 24 61.
Fact sheet produced by the Ministry of Education and Research.
Printed by XGS Grafisk Service, Stockholm, Sweden, April 2007. Article no. U07.006