Microcredentials Lab · Projects

Micro-credentials projects and initiatives

Explore completed European projects and selected work by international organisations. Each card links directly to the official project or publication page.

European Union funded projects

Five completed EU-funded projects with reusable results for higher education, VET, continuing training and green skills.

Flemish Ministry of Education and Training · EUA · ENQA · CIMEA
Erasmus+ KA3Completed

MICROBOL — Micro-credentials linked to the Bologna Key Commitments

Explored how existing European Higher Education Area tools can support micro-credentials. The consortium developed a common framework and recommendations on qualifications frameworks, ECTS, recognition and quality assurance.

2020–2022Visit MICROBOL project ↗
Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) · European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU)
Erasmus+ Cooperation PartnershipCompleted

MCE — Modular Continuing Higher Education by Microcredentials

Supported universities in modularising continuing higher education and professional development. The project examined learner needs, institutional change and policy approaches for quality micro-credentials.

2022–2025Visit MCE project page ↗
Maynooth University · RES4CITY consortium
Horizon EuropeCompleted

RES4CITY — Renewable Energies System for Cities

Built learning pathways for renewable energy and sustainable urban systems. Its outputs include micro-programmes, 44 micro-credentials, case studies and digital learning tools for students and professionals.

2022–2025Visit RES4CITY project ↗
Tartu Vocational College (lead) · five-country VET partnership
Erasmus+Completed

LAB4microVET — Learning Lab for Adoption of Micro Qualifications in VET

Helped vocational schools plan and deliver micro-credential courses. Five VET schools piloted provision, and the partnership published an electronic toolkit with practical planning instructions and worksheets.

2023–2025Visit LAB4microVET project ↗
EOPPEP — National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance (Greece)
Erasmus+ · EQAVETCompleted

Micro-CVET — Continuing Vocational Training Link to Micro-Credentials

Focused on validating and recognising learning outcomes from continuing vocational training. The project produced proposals and guidance for quality-assured micro-credentials in CVET; its final results were presented in August 2026.

2023–2026Visit Micro-CVET results ↗

International organisations: completed projects and research

Completed technical assistance and published research by international organisations. The card labels distinguish projects from studies and policy papers.

OECD · European Commission · Hungarian Ministry of Culture and Innovation
Technical Support InstrumentCompleted

A Single Micro-Credential System for Lifelong Learning in Hungary

Provided technical assistance for a coherent national framework spanning higher education, VET and adult learning. Outputs included policy recommendations, an implementation roadmap, pilot guidance and an IT blueprint.

2023–2025Read OECD project page ↗
UNESCO IESALC — International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean
Regional researchStudy published

Mapping Microcredentials in Latin America and the Caribbean

Mapped providers, regulatory frameworks, quality assurance and implementation challenges across the region. The report offers recommendations toward a common regional framework for micro-credentials.

2025Read UNESCO IESALC study ↗
UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) · Knowledge Innovation Centre (KIC)
Institutional technical-assistance projectCompleted

Micro-credentialling Support to UNESCO IIEP

Designed a methodology to unbundle IIEP courses into micro-credentials, align the approach with IIEP’s mission, and provide actionable guidance on transparency, recognition and stakeholder acceptance.

2022–2023Visit completed project page ↗
UNESCO IIEP — International Institute for Educational Planning
Policy research and blueprintStudy published

Short Courses, Micro-Credentials and Flexible Learning Pathways

Examined policy choices for organising short courses and micro-credentials in flexible learning pathways. It discusses definitions and proposes a universal working definition to inform education policy and action.

2023Read UNESCO IIEP publication ↗
OECD — Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
OECD Education Policy PerspectiveStudy published

Micro-Credentials for Lifelong Learning and Employability

Assessed the potential and limitations of micro-credentials for employment, progression into higher education, course completion and social inclusion, drawing out evidence needs for policy makers.

2023Read OECD policy paper ↗
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