European Policy Experimentations - TOPIC 4: Micro-credentials - focus on eco-systems

Overview

Objectives

European policy experimentations are transnational cooperation projects that involve developing, implementing and testing the relevance, effectiveness, potential impact and scalability of activities to address policy priorities in different countries. Under this topic, the call aims to support Member States and associated countries in implementing the 2022 Council Recommendation on micro‑credentials, as well as other policy objectives (in particular developing micro-credentials' eco-systems in STEM), by developing robust national ecosystems.

Activities/actions supported

Projects funded under this call should address one or more of the activities set out in the text of the call. These include: defining a framework for micro-credentials, including integrating them into national qualifications and quality assurance systems; improving recognition and portability of micro-credentials between education and training systems and in the labour market, and raising awarenss about them; and exploring methods to design and issue omicro-credentials, that are relevant to the needs of the specific target groups. Projects are expected to be based on cooperation among key stakeholders, including higher education institutions and VET providers.

Projects should normally range between 24 and 36 months.

Anticipated outcomes

Projects should lead to at least one of the following expected outcomes:

• Exploring avenues to incorporate the micro-credential concept fully in  national systems, including potentially drafting strategies and recommendations for public authorities, and guidance for practitioners;
• Exploring changes needed in existing quality assurance mechanisms to incorporate micro-credentials, including by preparing a roadmap and piloting such changes;
• Mapping current recognition practices and exploring potential changes needed to promote portability
• Exploring the transferability and scalability of existing portability solutions, including through ongoing pilot projects (e.g. digital portfolios, e-backpacks) and preparing a roadmap for piloting such solutions.
• Exploring how micro-credentials are being used to develop relevant skills and promote employability.

Institution providing the funding

European Commission

Size of funding

A total of EUR 3 000 000 (max EUR 1 000 000 per project)

Conditions

Overview of eligibility criteria

To be eligible, applicants must be legal entities (public or private) active in the filed of education and training, research and innovation or in the world of work, and be established in one of the eligible countries (i.e. EU Member States, non-EU countries associated with the Erasmus+ Programme). Higher Education Institutions established in Erasmus+ Programme countries must be holders of a valide Erasmus Charter for Higher Education certificate. Please see the text of the call for further details.

Proposals must be submitted by a consortium composed of at least five applicants from a minimum of three EU Member States or third countries associated with the Programme.

Overview of award criteria

Award criteria include the following: 

• Relevance (up to 30 points), which assesses alignment with EU policy objectives and the scope of the topic; the promotion of shared EU values; the quality of the needs analysis; as well as complementarity with existing initiatives, innovation, and European added value
• Quality of project design and implementation (20 points), which considers the coherence of the methodology, completeness and structure of the work programme; as well as the robustness of management, quality assurance and evaluation arrangements, the appropriateness of the budget, financial management, and risk mitigation
• Quality of the partnership and cooperation arrangements (20 points), which looks at the suitability, expertise and commitment of partners, the inclusion of required actors for the selected topic, and the effectiveness of the coordination and decision‑making structures. For Topic 4, this includes the extent to which the partnership of the proposal involves i) one or  more Higher Education providers and ii) one or more VET providers (or other providers as defined in the Council Recommendation of 16 June 2022 on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and  employability)
• Impact (up to 30 points), which examines the project’s potential to impact relevant stakeholder groups, the extent to which dissemination of results is foreseen, and plans are in place to ensure the sustainability of project deliverables

Procedures

Application procedures

The application must be submitted exclusively online via the Funding & Tenders Portal. For more information, please see the text of the call.

Application support available

For help related to this call, please contact EACEA-POLICY-SUPPORTEC [dot] EUROPA [dot] EU (EACEA-POLICY-SUPPORT[at]EC[dot]EUROPA[dot]EU).

Useful links

Link to funding opportunity

Link to the programme for more info