MICROBOL – Micro-credentials linked to the Bologna Key Commitments
MICROBOL is a 2-year project (2020-2022) co-funded by Erasmus+ KA3 Support to Policy reform, and more specifically “Support to the implementation of EHEA reforms”.
Increased access to education for all learners
The project is linked to the aims of the new Erasmus+ Programme and the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) to increase access to continuous learning for all learners, regardless of age or experience.
These learners include regular higher education students, but also all those who want to improve their knowledge, skills and competences.
To fill the gap between formal education leading to classic degrees and the fast-changing knowledge-development and labour market needs, there is the need to create new flexible ways of learning and teaching such as short learning programmes and micro-credentials. These can be offered through formal or informal education and delivered through online or face-to-face courses.
Applying the Bologna tools to micro-credentials
The project will engage ministries and stakeholders involved in the Bologna Follow-up Group to explore whether and how the existing EHEA tools can be used and/or need to be adapted to be applicable to micro-credentials.
Providers of micro-credentials
The project focuses primarily on micro-credentials provided by higher education institutions or in conjunction with them, but also touches upon those entirely provided by companies or non-profit organisations, the system of ‘open badges’ and other bits of ‘micro’-learning, that might be recognised by higher education institutions.
Evaluating practices and policies
To reach the objective the following activities will be carried out: a desk research followed by three working groups, focusing on the Qualification Framework-EHEA and ECTS, on recognition, and on quality assurance. As a result of various meetings and workshops, during which ministry representatives, experts and stakeholders will evaluate the current practices and policies related to micro-credentials, the project will propose a common European framework for micro-credentials.
