About us (Archive September 2022)

The European Distance and E-Learning Network exists to share knowledge and improve understanding amongst professionals in distance and e-learning and to promote policy and practice across the whole of Europe and beyond.

With more than 180 institutional members and over 1100 members in the Network of Academics and Professionals (NAP), EDEN assists a wide range of institutions, networks and individuals to become involved in professional information and networking activities. It does so through the organisation of acknowledged European conferences, its publications and information services, and by taking an active role in a wide range of important EU projects. EDEN has also proved successful with thematic activities such as the Open Classroom Working Group (school level distance education), and by contributing to, and promoting, ‘cutting edge’ research in the field. In addition, EDEN has also provided extensive secretarial support to the European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning (EURODL).

EDEN is the smart network for the professional community and a professional community for smart learning.

You may read the full EDEN Profile as a PDF download here.

Established in 1991 as an international educational association and not-for-profit organisation, EDEN is open to institutions and individuals dealing with e-learning, and – more broadly speaking – open and distance education.

Providing versatile expertise, the Association embraces all levels of formal and non-formal education and training. EDEN has been consistently instrumental in the promotion of networking, international co-operation and professional development.

As a key asset, EDEN has a strong and active membership. By joining EDEN you become part of the largest, most dynamically developing professional community of experts and practitioners of electronic distance education representing 55 countries and over 430 institutions from Europe and other continents.

Since 1997 the Secretariat of the Association has been hosted by the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
EDEN is registered as a Limited Company under UK law.

Constitution of the European Distance and E-Learning Network

“A non-governmental educational association has been established under the name of European Distance and E-Learning Network, with the official abbreviation EDEN.

The aim of the association shall be to foster developments in open, distance, flexible and e-learning (hereinafter distance and e-learning) providing a platform for all the regions and countries of Europe for co-operation and collaboration between institutions, networks companies and other agencies in the field. The association may also develop links with non-European associations and institutions.

Working in conjunction with its members the association will endeavour to:

  • promote co-operation and collaboration between existing institutions and networks involved in providing or using distance and e-learning both in Europe and on a world-wide basis,
  • organise and support conferences, workshops and seminars to support professional development in the field of distance and e-learning in Europe,
  • facilitate and foster research and development in distance and e-learning,
  • make available information about current developments in distance and e-learning,
  • participate in world-wide international co-operation and collaboration, take part in projects promoting such activities and encourage and assist members in the elaboration of collaborative projects,
  • advise relevant national and international bodies, governmental and non-governmental, regarding education and training through distance and e-learning methods in Europe.”
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EDEN Constitution 1992

EDEN Constitution 1992

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Facts sheet (2019)

Facts sheet (2019)

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Certificate of Incorporation

Certificate of Incorporation