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  1. An institution, body, office or agency established by or based on the Treaty on European Union and the Treaties establishing the European Communities.

    All education and training facilities for people of different age groups.

    An intergovernmental organization having legal personality under public international law or a specialized agency established by such an international organization. An international organization, the majority of whose members are Member States or Associated Countries and whose main objective is to promote scientific and technological cooperation in Europe, is an International Organization of European Interest.

    A person with legal rights and obligations. Unlike a legal entity, a natural person does not have a legal act (e.g. association, limited liability company, etc.).

    An NPO is an institution or organization which, by virtue of its legal form, is not profit-oriented or which is required by law not to distribute profits to its shareholders or individual members. An NGO is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that does not represent business interests. Pursues a common purpose for the benefit of society.

    A partnership, corporation, person, or agency that is for-profit and not operated by the government.

    Any government or other public administration, including public advisory bodies, at the national, regional or local level.

    A research institution is a legal entity established as a non-profit organization whose main objective is to conduct research or technological development. A college/university is a legal entity recognized by its national education system as a university or college or secondary school. It may be a public or private institution.

    A microenterprise, a small or medium-sized enterprise (business) as defined in EU Recommendation 2003/361. To qualify as an SME for EU funding, an enterprise must meet certain conditions, including (a) fewer than 250 employees and (b) an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 43 million. These ceilings apply only to the figures for individual companies.

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  1. Governance, partnership: Projects aimed at increasing the application of multilevel and transnational or cross-border governance, designing and testing appropriate governance structures and mechanisms. Also cooperation between public institutions on any theme.

    Innovation capacity and awareness-raising: Actions that increase a person’s or organisation’s capacity for innovation (not innovation as such), and that establish the capacity to diffuse and apply innovation; projects that stimulate innovation in different areas and innovation capacities; strengthening and empowering of innovation networks.

    Institutional cooperation and cooperation networks: Projects working on the improvement of institutional cross-border co-operation and capacities, on renewing and simplifying administrative management through long term cooperation between institutions (e.g. Euregion), on establishing and sharing regional knowledge and intercultural understanding and cohesion. It also deals with cooperations between universities, health care facilities, schools and sports organisations, as well as with management and capacity building.

    Activities focussing on agricultural products, organic farming, horticulture, as well as forest management and wood products; furthermore the development of the food sector, food chains, organic food production, and seafood products and any topics related to animals and fishing.

    Agriculture and fisheries and forestry: Projects focussing on agricultural products (i.e. fruits, meat, olives, etc.), organic farming, horticulture, as well as forest management and wood products. Also the development of the agro-food sector, food chains, organic food production, and seafood products. Any topics related to animals (i.e. health, management) and fishing (i.e. sustainable fishery, aquaculture).

    Soil and air quality: Projects that deal with any topic against soil and air pollution, except water pollution, for example, reduction of soil and air contamination, pollution-management systems, but also prevention and eradication of soil erosion, new ways of improving air quality (also indoors) and soil/air knowledge in general.

    Climate change and biodiversity projects assisting mitigation and adaption to climate change and environmental impacts of climate change. Development of low carbon technologies and strategies, reduction of CO2 emissions from all sectors. Promotion of biodiversity, new instruments to enhance biodiversity and natural protection.

    Soil and air quality projects that deal with any topic against soil and air pollution, except water pollution, for example, reduction of soil and air contamination, pollution-management systems, but also prevention and eradication of soil erosion, new ways of improving air quality (also indoors) and soil/air knowledge in general.

    Water management projects about management and distribution of drinking water, integrated sustainable water management, monitoring systems for water supply and improving drinking water quality; also water treatment (wastewater), in particular, innovative technologies to improve wastewater, treatments in the purification of industrial and domestic wastewater and water reuse policies. Waterways, lakes and rivers: This deals with any topics on waterways, lakes and rivers, from improving water quality, protecting and developing of ecosystems or sustainable wetland management.

    Activities that protect, promote and enhance cultural and natural heritage, increase the attractiveness through preservation and valorisation of common cultural and natural heritage in a sustainable manner, and improve and develop cultural and natural heritage objects, services and products. Cultural heritage management, art and culture, (maritime) heritage routes, access to cultural and natural heritage. Also all topics on cultural services such as festivals, concerts, art workshops.

    Tourism projects dealing with the promotion of natural assets, and the protection and development of natural heritage, as well as increasing the touristic attractiveness through the better use of natural, cultural and historical heritage. Also projects about improved tourist services/products, development of ecotourism models, tourism development strategies.

    Sustainable management of natural resources projects focussing on the protection, promotion and valorization, and sustainable management and conservation of natural areas (habitats, geo parks, protected areas, etc.). Also projects focussing on preserving and enhancing cultural and natural heritage and landscape, as well as protecting the marine environment.

    Projects on waste management (innovative services and strategies), ecological waste treatment, treatment techniques/systems; waste disposal and recycling (improvement of recycling, innovative recycling technologies, recovery of organic waste, repair & re-use centres and networks); also prevention of pollution and pollution control (ecological and circular economy, marine littering, etc.).

    Labour market and employment: creating employment opportunities and/or optimising jobs, academic (un)employment and job mobility, workforce attraction and improvement of employment conditions for different groups.

    SME and entrepreneurship: strengthening SME capacities, boosting entrepreneurial activities in different sectors and for different groups, supporting social entrepreneurship, creating business support/advisory systems for start-ups/spin-offs/incubators, improving the competitiveness of SMEs, and promoting new business processes.

    Community integration and common identity projects that build identity, create a more cohesive society, promote positive relations through an increased provision of shared spaces and services.

    Demographic change and immigration is about projects tackling major societal challenges like demographic change in different areas and migration, in particular, aging society (active aging, best agers, silver economy strategies) and related new public services (adaptation of key services and infrastructure), social and spatial segregation, and brain drain. Also all topics on migration (policy tools, strategic planning, integration).

    All projects where ICT has a significant role, including tailor-made ICT solutions in different fields, as well as digital innovation hubs, open data, Internet of Things; ICT access and connecting (remote) areas with digital infrastructure and services; services and applications for citizens (e-health, e-government, e-learning, e-inclusion, etc.); services and applications for companies (e-commerce, networking, digital transformation, etc.).

    This is about the mitigation and management of risks and disasters, and the anticipation and response capacity towards the actors regarding specific risks and management of natural disasters, for example, prevention of flood and drought hazards, forest fire, strong weather conditions, etc.. It is also about risk assessment and safety.

    Education and training projects on expanding educational opportunities, reducing barriers in the field of education, improving higher education and lifelong learning, training and labour mobility, educational networks, higher vocational education, common learning programmes.

    Topics on energy management, energy-saving methods, evaluating energy efficiency measurements, energy rehabilitation/efficiency in buildings / public infrastructure, promotion of energy efficiency, cooperation among experienced energy efficiency firms, institutions and local administrations, co-generation.

    Projects focussing on wind, solar, biomass, hydroelectric, geothermal and other renewable energy, increasing the production of sustainable renewable energy and improving research capacities in biomass. Also projects focussing on storage and management of renewable energy, new technologies, sustainable regional bioenergy policies and financial Instruments for investments on renewable energy.

    Social projects concerning people with disabilities and excluded groups; enhancement of the capacity of children, young people, women and elderly; creation of infrastructure to improve access for disabled people, integration of socially vulnerable people; innovate in the care of victims of gender violence, social inclusion of women, etc.

    This deals with the development of health and social services and improved accessibility and efficiency for different groups (elderly, children, etc.). It is also about new healthcare models and medical diagnosis and treatments (dementia, cancer, diabetes, etc.), hospitals, care management, and rare diseases, as well as improving wellbeing and promoting sports.

    Projects about (organised) crime, efficient and secure borders, such as enhancing the effectiveness of the police in the prevention of drug crimes, the development of safety services, or tackling security and organised crime issues.

    Activities related to:

    • Transport and mobility covering all sorts of transport (incl. urban transport) and mobility.
    • Improving transport connections dealing with traffic and/or transport connections, rehabiliation/modernisation, better connectivity, improving accessibility/connections, but also public transport.
    • Multimodal transport and logistics and freight transport focusing on using different means of transport, developing multimodal connections, optimising intermodal transport chains; offering multimodal logistics solutions and providing access to clean, efficient and multimodal transport corridors and hubs; establishing cooperation among logistic centres and developing multimodal mobility strategies.

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    • regional planning and development, such as the implementation of regional development policies/instruments and programmes, sustainable land use management plans, integrated regional action plans, spatial planning, and marine protected area management.
    • rural and peripheral development, referring to remote, sparsely populated areas, rural community development, and rural economics, in particular access to remote areas and policies for rural areas.
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Call key data

Policy Experimentation - Micro-credentials

Funding Program

Erasmus+ - Key Action 3 – Support to Policy Development and Cooperation

Call number

ERASMUS-EDU-2024-POL-EXP-MICRO-CRED

deadlines

Opening
05.12.2023

Deadline
04.06.2024 17:00

Funding rate

80%

Call budget

€ 4,000,000.00

Estimated EU contribution per project

max. € 1,000,000.00

Link to the call

ec.europa.eu

Link to the submission

ec.europa.eu

Call content

short description

The objective of Topic 5 is to support reforms and policy impact in Member States and/or third countries associated to the Programme in the implementation of the Council Recommendation of 16 June 2022 on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability.

Call objectives

Micro-credentials are the record of the learning outcomes that a learner has acquired following a small volume of learning. Micro-credentials make it possible for individuals to acquire knowledge, skills and competences in a flexible and targeted way. They can be instrumental in upskilling and reskilling of learners, including disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, so that they can adapt to a fast-changing labour market. Micro-credentials do not replace, however, traditional qualifications. The above-mentioned 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.

Proposals submitted under this topic must address one of the following priorities:

  • Priority 11: Micro-credentials eco-systems
  • Priority 12: Micro-credentials for the digital and green transitions

read more

Expected effects and impacts

Priority 11 and Priority 12:

  • Improved knowledge and evidence base in the field of design, implementation, relevance, quality, recognition and portability of micro-credentials, together with information on potentially systemic changes needed in the micro-credential ecosystem at different levels in different national setups;
  • Demonstrated European added value by identifying and sharing good practices and lessons on how to incorporate micro-credentials in the national qualifications frameworks and in education and labour market policies;
  • Ensured transferability of conclusions by testing the implementation in different national contexts;
  • Ensured scalability by involving a wide range of actors making part of the micro-credentials eco-systems.

Expected results

Priority 11: Micro-credentials eco-systems and Priority 12: Micro-credentials for the digital and green transitions

Activities of the project are, for example, meetings, consultations (online or physical), surveys, focus group discussions, activities related to the implementation of the piloting changes, including training sessions for staff and learners involved in testing the proposed solutions, design, issuance/publication and implementation of the actual micro-credentials and the courses leading to them, drafting of the strategies/recommendations/guidance documents, as well as dissemination activities.

To ensure the visibility of the selected projects, the activities shall include a communication and dissemination plan, which includes but is not limited to:

  • Disseminating information about the call and project, its objectives and its results through reach-out activities addressed to the wider public;
  • Organising a final event and delivering sustainable online dissemination materials targeting a wide range of providers of micro-credentials and other actors of the micro-credentials eco-system and presenting lessons learned from the activities conducted during the piloting phase, with key proposals towards the design, implementation, relevance, quality, recognition and portability of micro-credentials.

Priority 11: Micro-credentials eco-systems

The objective of Priority 11 is to support the stakeholders in their work to design systemic changes leading to:

  • Defining the micro-credentials’ framework and purpose in the national set-up, including in relation to the national qualifications framework (where appropriate);
  • Incorporating micro-credentials issued by higher education institutions, VET institutions and other formal and non-formal providers in relevant quality assurance mechanisms;
  • Facilitating understanding and recognition of micro-credentials issued by various actors and their portability between education systems and in the labour market, as well as promoting increased awareness on the meaning and value of micro-credentials;
  • Making the provision of micro-credentials relevant and targeted.

Beneficiaries need to explore methods of design and issuance of micro-credentials, based on evidence, relevant to the needs of the specific target groups.

Beneficiaries may want to screen existing micro-credentials, try to identify shortcomings and suggest optimal and concrete solutions, along the lines of the above-mentioned Council Recommendation and aiming at practices as much as possible insynergy with practices developed in other Member States.

Main activities under this priority could involve (non-exhaustive list):

  • Examine the three building blocks as laid down in the above-mentioned Council Recommendation and explore avenues to incorporate the micro-credential concept fully in the national education/training system and national qualifications framework. If no strategy exists, draft a strategy and deliver specific recommendations for the public authorities at national/regional/local level as well as guidance for providers of micro-credentials;
  • Explore changes needed in existing quality assurance mechanisms to incorporate micro-credentials. Prepare a roadmap for piloting such changes. Select bodies responsible for quality assurance, including for Higher Education, VET, adult learning, including related to providers from outside the formal system, that could test relevant quality assurance mechanisms. Deliver recommendations, based on the project findings, to ensure quality assurance culture in line with Annex II to the Council Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability;
  • Map current recognition practices of micro-credentials delivered by higher education institutions, VET institutions, and/or other formal and non-formal providers. Explore changes needed in existing tools and/or rules. Prepare a roadmap for piloting such changes. Select providers and competent authorities that could test them for academic, training or employment purposes. Deliver recommendations, based on the project findings, to facilitate transparent recognition procedures for micro-credentials issued by different types of providers, including recognition of prior learning (RPL) and the validation of non-formal and informal learning (VNFIL), in line with Annex II to Council Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability;
  • Explore transferability and scalability of existing portability solutions, including ongoing pilot projects (such as digital portfolios, e-backpacks, applications confirming various types of skills - including those acquired outside formal education). Prepare a roadmap for piloting such portability solutions. Select providers that could implement it. Deliver specific recommendations, based on the project findings, regarding necessary changes at national level and guidance for providers of micro-credentials, to ensure that micro-credentials are portable in line with Annex II of the Council Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability;
  • Explore how micro-credentials are currently used to develop relevant skills as well as to promote employability, e.g. considering strengthening cooperation between education and training institutions with employers, public employment services and social partners. Explore changes needed in existing initiatives. Prepare a roadmap for piloting such changes. Select providers and competent authorities that could test it. Deliver specific examples and recommendations on how to exploit micro-credentials’ potential for relevant education and training, upskilling and reskilling for the labour market, based on the project findings.

Priority 12: Micro-credentials for the digital and green transitions

Actions should be in line with the characteristics of micro-credentials as set out in the above-mentioned Council Recommendation and experimentation should focus in particular on learning pathways, diversity of learning settings, and designing relevant micro-credentials to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the digital and green transitions. The outcomes of the conducted project need to be implemented in the national/regional systems that are part of the project, with the potential to be transferred also to other systems.

Main activities under this priority could involve (non-exhaustive list):

  • Examining and analysing actual and future needs of the economy and society at large with regard to equipping young people and lifelong learners with future proof skills needed to comply with the requirements of the green and digital transitions. This analysis should be based on skills intelligence tools, skills assessment tools and other solid evidence;
  • Exploring the needs and ultimate interests of specific groups that need training, up- or reskilling;
  • Mapping how courses leading to micro-credentials could serve the above needs;
  • Designing and implementing relevant innovative, targeted and accessible courses leading to micro-credentials, based on the results of the prior mapping, offered to any learner, including for reskilling and upskilling purposes;
  • These learner-centred courses leading to micro-credentials may be:
    • courses offered to students, staff and other learners at formal education and training institutions or by non-formal providers;
    • courses offered to upskill and reskill people for skills and jobs that are in demand on the labour market, including in the context of the digital and green transitions;
    • courses offered to workers and jobseekers to address skills mismatches and bottlenecks in given economic sectors and regions;
    • stand alone or designed as modules.
    • In higher education, they could be delivered at short-cycle, Bachelor, Master or Doctoral level (EQF 5 to 8) and address skills and competences at basic, advanced or specialist level.
  • Engaging companies that suffer from labour and skills shortages to cooperate with formal education and training organisations in designing ad-hoc micro- credentials that generate potential employment within the engaged companies.
  • Targeted outreach activities, including communication materials.

read more

Eligibility Criteria

Regions / countries for funding

EU Member States, Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT)
Iceland (Ísland), Liechtenstein, North Macedonia (Северна Македонија), Norway (Norge), Serbia (Srbija/Сpбија), Türkiye

eligible entities

Education and training institution, Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) / Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Other, Private institution, incl. private company (private for profit), Public Body (national, regional and local; incl. EGTCs), Research Institution incl. University, Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)

Mandatory partnership

Yes

Project Partnership

Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least 3 applicants (beneficiaries, not affiliated entities), from a minimum of 3 EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme.

Affiliated entities and associated partners do not count towards the minimum eligibility criteria for the consortium composition, and can not be coordinator.

Organisations from third countries not associated to the Programme can be involved as associated partners (not as beneficiaries and affiliated entities).

In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:

  • be legal entities (public or private bodies) active in the fields of education and training, research and innovation or in the world of work;
  • Under topic 5 ‘Micro-credentials’, in order to be eligible, each project must include at least one public authority at national, regional, and/or local level as applicants (beneficiaries, not affiliated entities);
  • be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.: Erasmus+ Programme Countries:
    • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
    • non-EU countries: − listed EEA countries and countries associated to the Erasmus+ Programme (list of participating countries)
  • for higher education institutions (HEIs) established in Erasmus+ Programme Countries (see above): be holders of the ECHE certificate (Erasmus Charter for Higher Education).

other eligibility criteria

  • Natural persons are NOT eligible (with the exception of self- employed persons, i.e. sole traders, where the company does not have legal personality separate from that of the natural person).
  • International organisations are NOT eligible. The rules on eligible countries do not apply to them.
  • Entities which do not have legal personality under their national law may exceptionally participate, provided that their representatives have the capacity to undertake legal obligations on their behalf, and offer guarantees for the protection of the EU financial interests equivalent to that offered by legal persons.
  • EU bodies (with the exception of the European Commission Joint Research Centre) can NOT be part of the consortium.
  • Entities composed of members may participate as ‘sole beneficiaries’ or ‘beneficiaries without legal personality’. Please note that  if the action will be implemented by the members, they should also participate (either as beneficiaries or as affiliated entities, otherwise their costs will NOT be eligible).
  • Beneficiaries from countries with ongoing negotiations (see list above) may participate in the call and can sign grants if the negotiations are concluded before grant signature (with retroactive effect, if provided in the agreement).
  • UK applicants — The participation in the Programme has been requested by the United Kingdom. If there is an agreement on this participation, UK entities will be eligible to participate in this call (in accordance with the conditions of the agreement).

Additional information

Topics

Air Quality, Biodiversity & Environment, Climate & Climate Change, Water quality & management, 
Digitalisation, Digital Society, ICT, 
Education & Training, Children & Youth, Media

Relevance for EU Macro-Region

EUSAIR - EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, EUSALP - EU Strategy for the Alpine Space, EUSBSR - EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, EUSDR - EU Strategy for the Danube Region

UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs)

project duration

between 24 and 36 months

Additional Information

Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System (accessible via the Topic page in the Search Funding & Tenders section. Paper submissions are NOT possible.

Proposals (including annexes and supporting documents) must be submitted using the forms provided inside the Submission System ( NOT the documents available on the Topic page — they are only for information).

Proposals must be complete and contain all the requested information and all required annexes and supporting documents:

  • Application Form Part A — contains administrative information about the participants (future coordinator, beneficiaries and affiliated entities) and the summarised budget for the project (to be filled in directly online);
  • Application Form Part B — contains the technical description of the project (to be downloaded from the Portal Submission System, completed and then assembled and re-uploaded));
  • Mandatory annexes and supporting documents (templates available to be downloaded from the Portal Submission System, completed, assembled and re- uploaded):
    • Detailed budget table/calculator

Proposals are limited to maximum 70 pages (Part B).

The grant will be a lump-sum grant. This means that it will reimburse a fixed amount, based on a lump sum or financing not linked to costs.

Call documents

Erasmus+ Programmleitfaden 2023 - DEErasmus+ Programmleitfaden 2023 - DE(5553kB)
Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2023-ENErasmus+ Programme Guide 2023-EN(835kB)

Contact

European Education and Culture Executive Agency
Website

Erasmus+ National Agencies
Website

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