Micro-credentials - focus on eco-systems

Scope

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. By combining strategic leadership, methodological soundness, and a strong European dimension, they enable mutual learning and support evidence-based policy at European level.

Themes and priorities (scope)

The Council Recommendation sets out three building blocks: 1) a common definition for micro-credentials, 2) standard elements for consistent description of micro-credentials, and 3) principles for design, issuance and use of micro-credentials. To deliver on the full potential of micro-credentials, Member States are recommended to create an enabling ecosystem - with an aim of increasing permeability between sectors - composed of various providers of micro-credentials, relevant public authorities, as well as national qualifications frameworks and quality assurance mechanisms. Providers of micro-credentials’ cover education and training institutions and organisations, including higher education institutions, Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions, social partners (i.e. organisations representing workers, industry and employers), civil society organisations, public employment services (PES), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and regional and national authorities, and other types of actors designing, delivering and issuing micro-credentials for formal, non-formal and informal learning.

Thanks to the three building blocks of the above-mentioned Council Recommendation, the design and provision of micro-credentials can be more structured and transparent. However, more work is needed to further translate it into practice. While objectives and practices need to be adapted to given national/regional/local circumstances, approaches taken need to be transparent and comparable, in line with the provisions of the Council Recommendation. Public authorities at national, regional, and/or local level, in cooperation with providers of micro-credentials, social partners and other stakeholders need to design and implement systemic changes in education and training as well as labour market systems to adapt them to the provision of micro-credentials.

More information about this topic is available in the Call for proposals European policy experimentations (ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP).