The conference "Adult education in the face of contemporary challenges" addresses the issues of non- and informal education of adults and the importance of adult education in the socio-economic development of local and regional communities. The conference provides a space for discussion on strategies and models of adult learning in various forms and contexts as an important element of shaping local social policy. The starting point for the joint debate will be the presentation of the Model of "Local Knowledge and Education Centres" (LOWE Model) – an innovative educational initiative to promote the concept of lifelong learning among adults, which has been successfully implemented since 2017, primarily in small rural and urban-rural communes, in post-state farm areas, post-industrial areas and remote from large centres, where access to non- and informal forms of education is limited.