The Wheel of Life – small scale partnership
Discover the free educational platform and handbook created through the Erasmus+ project The Wheel of Life to support holistic development of adult learners.
The Wheel of Life – Creating Tools for Holistic Development of Adult Learners
For the last months, partners from Poland and Slovenia have been working together on a simple but important question:
How can we support adult learners in developing the areas of life that need attention right now, while respecting their individual needs, possibilities and pace of learning?
The answer became the Erasmus+ project The Wheel of Life, inspired by the well-known coaching tool that helps people reflect on their satisfaction in different areas of life.
Starting from real needs
The project began with a pilot phase during which adult learners from both countries completed their own Wheel of Life and reflected on eight key areas:
- Family
- Relationships
- Work
- Finances
- Health
- Relaxation
- Environment
- Self-development
Through interviews, surveys and workshops, participants helped us identify the topics that matter most in each area. Initially, between 6 and 14 topics were identified per area, and thanks to ongoing consultation with participants and later also with new partners involved in follow-up cooperation plans, we expanded and refined the lists to reach the original goal of at least 10 topics for each area.
From these topics, we selected two priorities in each area and focused on developing practical educational tools that could support adult learners in their everyday lives.
Learning through testing
Rather than creating resources behind a desk, we decided to test everything directly with adult learners.
During the project we organised:
- 9 international online workshops,
- 9 local workshops in Poland,
- 5 local workshops in Slovenia,
- a 5-day international mobility in Poland,
- regular dissemination activities through social media and EPALE.
Each workshop became an opportunity to experiment with different approaches, gather feedback and improve the tools before including them in the final outputs.
One of the most valuable aspects of the project was the active involvement of participants in shaping the educational content. Their reflections, experiences and suggestions helped us ensure that the developed resources are practical, relevant and accessible.
More than educational tools
Although creating educational resources was the main objective, the project achieved much more.
Adult learners had an opportunity to participate in an international learning experience, often for the first time. Many participants improved their confidence in using English, became more open to intercultural dialogue and discovered new perspectives through contact with people from another country.
Perhaps the most beautiful result was the strong connection created between participants from Poland and Slovenia. Despite language barriers and cultural differences, genuine friendships emerged. Some participants met again after the project through other Erasmus+ activities, proving that international cooperation can create lasting personal relationships and support networks.
The project also strengthened cooperation between partner organisations. One of our original goals was to prepare ourselves for a larger Erasmus+ initiative in the future. We are happy to share that this objective was achieved: together with Aspira and two additional trusted partners, we submitted a Cooperation Partnership project as a natural continuation of the work started during The Wheel of Life.
Two outputs for adult learners and educators
The experiences gathered during workshops, mobility and testing resulted in two freely accessible outputs.
Educational Platform for Adult Learners
The first output is an online educational platform containing interactive activities connected to 16 selected topics across the eight areas of the Wheel of Life.
The platform allows adult learners to:
- explore different areas of personal development,
- learn at their own pace,
- reflect on their progress,
- use interactive exercises adapted to various learning styles.
The platform responds particularly well to the needs of adults who cannot regularly attend workshops due to work, family responsibilities or geographical barriers.
Feel free to explore it yourself! → https://strefarozwoju.wyobrazsobie.org.pl/moje-kursy/
Balance in Practice – Handbook for Adult Educators
The second output is a practical handbook describing tested tools and methods used throughout the project.
The handbook provides:
- an introduction to the Wheel of Life methodology,
- practical instructions for facilitators,
- descriptions of tested activities,
- recommendations based on participants’ feedback and project experience.
It is intended for adult educators, trainers, coaches, community workers and organisations looking for practical ways to support holistic development among adults.
Looking ahead
The Wheel of Life project confirmed something we have observed for many years: adult learners are looking not only for knowledge but also for practical tools that help them improve the quality of their lives.
By combining non-formal education, international cooperation and participant-centred design, we were able to create resources that can continue serving adult learners and educators long after the project has ended.
Most importantly, the project reminded us that development does not happen in isolation. It grows through reflection, meaningful conversations, supportive communities and opportunities to learn from one another.
We hope that the educational platform and handbook will inspire many more adults and educators across Europe to continue exploring their own Wheel of Life and creating positive changes, one step at a time.
