European Inventory on validation of non-formal and informal learning

The European inventory is a tool for realizing lifelong learning in Europe. It provides an updated overview over good practices in the area of validation and is addressing the needs of both policy makers and practitioners working in the field.. The European Inventory is closely connected to the European Guidelines on validation (hyperlink) and exemplifies in na concrete way the principles outlined in these. The 2010 version of the Inventory was updated by GHK Consulting on behalf of the European Commission and in close cooperation with Cedefop.
Why is a European inventory on validation needed?
Learning taking place outside the formal education and training system is crucially important for individuals, companies and society at large. Existing information about validation of non-formal and informal learning is, however, in most countries, scattered and not easily accessible. The European inventory aims to address this weakness by presenting regularly updated information on current practices in all countries taking part in the EU2020 cooperation process and by making this information - including a range of practice examples from selected areas and sectors - available to everybody working in this field.
The European inventory is an ongoing project. The original idea for a European Inventory was presented in the EU communication on lifelong learning from 2001 (Com 2001 678). So far this has resulted in four updates; in 2004, 2005 and 2007 and 2010. The Inventory has been taken forward in a cooperation between the European Commission (DG EAC) and Cedefop, supported by external contractors. All material gathered so far is publicly available and can be downloaded from this Web site. The 2010 version of the Inventory has been structured in such a way that it reflects and illustrates the European Guidelines on validation of non-formal and informal learning published (1st edition 2009, second edition planned for autumn 2011).
Policy background
During the last decade a number of initiatives have been taken at different levels (European, national, sub-national, industry, third sector) introducing arrangements for validation of non-formal and informal learning. This reflects that validation has been identified as a European priority on repeated occasions, notably in the Communication on Lifelong Learning (2001), the Copenhagen process on increased cooperation in VET (Declarations 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010), in the Recommendation on the European Qualifications framework (2008) as well as in the ministerial declarations of the Bologna process (2007 and 2009). Of particular interest are the 'Common European Principles' for the identification and validation of non-formal and informal learning adopted by the European Council in 2004. The European Commission is currently, 2011, preparing a draft Recommendation on validation. This Recommendation aims to put in place a more coherent European strategy in this field and will further underline the the need for updated and high quality data. During 2011 a Recommendation on validation of non-formal and informal learning will be published by the European Commission.
European Inventory 2010
The overall situation as regards validation of non-formal and informal learning in Europe in 2010 is presented in the following synthesis report. An executive summary of this report is also available. The 2010 update of the European Inventory covers developments in 32 countries. The 32 countries are described in 34 reports. Belgium is covered by separate reports for Flandern and Wallonia; UK by separate reports for England/Wales/Northern Ireland and Scotland. For the 2010 update of the inventory, the scope of the country reports have widened considerably compared to previous versions. The aim has been to look at validation from different angles and a common thematic structure is used throughout the 34 reports. This structure mirrors the focus of the European Guidelines on validation.
List of countries covered by the European inventory: Austria, Belgium - Vlaandern - Wallonie, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Turkey, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Croatia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, United Kingdom - England, Wales and Northern Ireland - Scotland.