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The present paper attempts to investigate the motivation for participation of adult learners in the existing formal and non-formal education structures of the Municipality of Alessandria. An effort will be made to outline the profile of the participants and to indicate both the motivations and the obstacles of adults’ participation. There will be a correlation between the demographic data, such as gender, age, occupational and economic status, educational level, and others, with the reasons for encouraging people to participate in the programs offered by the Municipality. That is, of the School of Second Chance SDE, the Apprenticeship School EPAL, the Center for the Development of Hellenic Commerce KAELLE and the private KDBM2 Ram computer. Initially, reference is made to the policy developed by the European Union in adult education, the European and Greek institutional framework for lifelong learning. The main theories of motives and obstacles for participation in adult education are analyzed. Previous studies of incentives and barriers to participation are presented at both international and national levels. The sample of this survey was 53 women and 51 men attending one of the offered educational programs of the Municipality of Alexandria. For this purpose, a quantitative survey was conducted from January to March 2019. The quantitative data was gathered using questionnaires through the Google Docs form and edited with the Excel statistical program. Research shows that the largest percentage of participants are female workers aged 45-54. The main motivation was the interest in acquiring formal qualifications, certification but also in learning. The biggest obstacle is the lack of time due to personal, family and occupational obligations. This research aims to serve as a springboard for future research aimed at exploring adult motivations and obstacles in their participation in educational programs. Therefore, it will be possible for those who design and implement lifelong, public and private sector projects to make them more attractive and efficient in order to get the most possible participation.