On 20 April 2021, the European Commission launched a 12-week public consultation on "Micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability" . The aim of the consultation, which runs until 13 July 2021, is to prepare a European Council recommendation on micro-credentials in the context of lifelong learning and employability.
The consultation is intended to generate ideas for the definition of micro-credentials and a recommendation for the development of common European standards for micro-credentials quality and transparency, to consider the inclusion of micro-credentials in national qualifications frameworks, possibly with reference to the European Qualifications Framework, and to reflect on further steps to be taken at institutional, national and EU level to implement micro-credentials.
Micro-credentials are the result of gaining a qualification evidencing learning outcomes acquired in a short, transparently assessed course or a course module. Micro-credentials are offered by both higher education and vocational education and training (VET) institutions, as well as by private organizations.
Plans and European perspectives on micro-credentials are stated in several strategic documents:
- the European Skills Agenda;
- the Council Resolution on a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European Education Area and beyond (2021-2030);
- the Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027)
At the 2020 Spring Meetings organized by the EC, a group of HE experts, members of quality assurance agencies and guest speakers from across Europe proposed a common European definition of micro-credentials, the characteristics micro-credentials have in common and a roadmap for further action.
Among the actions proposed in the roadmap, it is worth noting, among others:
- developing common European standards on quality and transparency, in cooperation with all stakeholders (education and training community and labour market actors, social partners, youth organisations, civil society, chambers of commerce and employers, involving all Member States and the EHEA),
- examining the inclusion of micro-credentials in national qualifications frameworks, with possible reference to the European Qualifications Framework,
- developing a list of trusted providers and supporting quality assurance processes.
In Poland, consultation on the European approach to micro-credentials are conducted, among others, by the Educational Research Institute.
To learn more about micro-credentials and the EC's ongoing consultation, please visit: