Regional municipalities and Summa join forces to strengthen residents' basic skills

Taalkracht, part of Summa, has been the trusted contract partner for providing basic skills training to adults in 14 municipalities in Southeast Brabant for many years. This collaboration is now set to continue in the long term: the region and Summa are strengthening their partnership with a unique public-public collaboration. Taalkracht will therefore remain the permanent partner for courses and programs focused on language, numeracy, and digital skills. 

Alderman Steenbakkers (municipality of Eindhoven): “For some of our residents, reading, writing, or keeping up digitally is not a given, even though these basic skills are essential for full participation in society. Tackling low literacy requires genuine Brainport cooperation with a strong and reliable partner. In recent years, Summa has demonstrated that it fulfills this role excellently. It is a logical partner with whom to continue building a region where everyone has the opportunity to participate. I look forward to further increasing our impact with this unique public-public partnership.”

Public-public cooperation 

For this target group, a single clear point of entry, continuity in provision and service, and a stable infrastructure are of great importance. This leads to higher participation in the courses, and thus greater reach and impact. In recent years, Summa has been responsible for providing basic skills training through a tender process. By 2024, these programs and other projects with Summa will have reached more than 2,500 residents in the 14 municipalities. 

The current contract period with Summa has expired. Careful consideration has been given to the best way to ensure the continuity of this service. The region is very satisfied with the quality and cooperation with Summa. Therefore, it was decided not to re-tender, but to continue the partnership for a longer period of time in a public-public collaboration. With this structural commitment, we are strengthening the basic skills of residents in vulnerable positions and supporting them in increasing their self-reliance. 

"With this structural collaboration, we are taking the next step within Brainport. A predictable infrastructure for basic skills as the foundation for lifelong development and full participation in society and the labor market. And that at 48 locations in the region, so we are within easy reach of every participant," says Régine van Lieshout, director of Taalkracht. In the coming years, the educational partner will be working on, among other things:

  • Offering modular lessons in basic skills (language, digital skills, and arithmetic) for adults in 14 municipalities at 48 locations. The lessons take place during the day, in the evening, on weekends, and during the summer holidays, so that the offer is available close to the target group.
  • Extra attention for adults with Dutch as their first language and for AI literacy, so that residents can continue to participate in a rapidly changing society.
  • Training volunteers and strengthening cooperation with libraries, housing associations, businesses, and welfare organizations.

Regional Education Program 2026-2029

The integrated approach to low literacy and the provision of basic skills for adults are part of the Regional Education Program (REP). For the period 2026-2029, the 14 regional municipalities have drawn up anew program,, with joint goals and a regional approach. Among other things, the aim is to increase the number of residents in vulnerable positions reached by at least 15% annually. And that at least 60% of participants in adult education become more proficient in language skills.

Alderman de Jong

Alderman de Jong (municipality of Son en Breugel): "As regional municipalities, we want to increase self-reliance by strengthening the basic skills of our residents who need support in this area. A strong local network around them is important, so that they don't have to do it alone. The next step in our new Regional Education Program is to translate this into local action with our local partners, such as our library and the volunteers at the Taalhuis (Language Center).”