Non Formal Education could be defined in many ways. After studying several definitions provided by various European entities, working towards the recognition process of non formal education, we could sum up and define NFE as:
“Non formal education is an organized educational process which takes place alongside the mainstreams systems of education and training and does not typically lead to certification. Individuals participate on a voluntary basis and as a result the individual takes an active role in the learning process. NFE provides learners with opportunity to develop their values, skills and competences in another way than the one developed in the formal educational system. Those skills (called also “soft skills”) include a wide range of qualities such as interpersonal skills, team, organisational and conflict management skills, intercultural awareness, leadership, planning, organising, problem solving skills, teamwork, self-confidence, discipline and responsibilities. While non formal education is taking place the individuals, participants are the main actors actively involved in the learning process. The methods that are being used aim at giving the learners the tools to further develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes. Non formal does not imply unstructured. The process of non formal learning is shared and designed in such way that creates and environment in which the learners are the architects of their own competences development.” [NFE book - AEGEE]
“Non formal education is an organized educational process which takes place alongside the mainstreams systems of education and training and does not typically lead to certification. Individuals participate on a voluntary basis and as a result the individual takes an active role in the learning process. NFE provides learners with opportunity to develop their values, skills and competences in another way than the one developed in the formal educational system. Those skills (called also “soft skills”) include a wide range of qualities such as interpersonal skills, team, organisational and conflict management skills, intercultural awareness, leadership, planning, organising, problem solving skills, teamwork, self-confidence, discipline and responsibilities. While non formal education is taking place the individuals, participants are the main actors actively involved in the learning process. The methods that are being used aim at giving the learners the tools to further develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes. Non formal does not imply unstructured. The process of non formal learning is shared and designed in such way that creates and environment in which the learners are the architects of their own competences development.” [NFE book - AEGEE]