This special issue draws on the outcomes of several wide-ranging research projects that have recently investigated which programmes attempted to deliver lifelong learning on the ground. Thus, most articles report on findings of two projects that received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. Particularly, ENLIVEN: Encouraging Lifelong Learning for an Inclusive and Vibrant Europe studied interventions in adult education markets and how these can be made more effective (Grant Agreement No. 693989); whereas YOUNG ADULLLT: Policies Supporting Young People in their Life Course undertook a comparative analysis of lifelong learning and inclusion in education and work in nine member states of the European Union (Grant Agreement No. 693167). Two more contributions on Latin America enrich the geographical and institutional scope of this special issue. One such contributions draws on the project RCUK-CONICYT Governing the educational and labour market trajectories of secondary TVET graduates in Chile, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council through the Newton Fund (Grant Agreement No. ES/N019229/1).