Validation of Competences Acquired in Volunteering Erasmus Project

Project Title

Validation of Competences Acquired in Volunteering

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Recognition (non-formal and informal learning/credits); Access for disadvantaged; Recognition, transparency, certification

Project Summary

The overall objective of the ValCoVol strategic partnership was to provide an overview about projects, initiatives and methods for the validation of non-formal and informal learning, through volunteering, and to identify instruments, models, and schemes which validate and clearly identify the key competences that have been gained by volunteers. In order to reach the objectives, the following activities and results were implemented:

– an e-platform with access to initiatives and learning information materials that have been identified and collected in the course of the project, especially concerning successful models and best practice concepts for the validation of key competences acquired during volunteering and systems of recognition of competences acquired through non-formal and informal learning;

– an online interactive forum for networking, exchange of experience and good practice that makes use of Skype’s real-time translation in 103 languages, thus breaking down language barriers between users from different countries, and supporting ideas, foster exchange and assist initiatives that contribute to the European society as a whole;

– a summary of findings in a “White Book for recognition of competences acquired through volunteering” that gives an overview about the current situation of the specific project environment in the partners’ countries, and present the initiatives, projects and materials with explanations in all languages of the partnership;

– an easily adaptable template (“Key Competences Template”) for volunteer organisations to identify competences of volunteers rather than describe volunteer work. This template gives employers meaningful information on competences of job applicants gained in voluntary work.

ValCoVol targeted

– volunteers who need a meaningful document about their expertise for entering the paid employment market,
– organisations which work with volunteers and have to issue certificates on their activities,
– employers who want to learn what kind of expertise job applicants have gained in voluntary environments and tasks.

ValCoVol was implemented by a dedicated partnership of six VET providers, non-profit organisations with a high number of volunteers, and organisations with access to employers’ associations and employment agencies. They comprise expertise and experiences from Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Italy and the Czech Republic.

The methodology focused on bringing together most relevant instruments on one platform and developing instruments for quick access in order to make the best use for volunteers of their gained knowledge in the application stage for paid jobs. Herewith, ValCoVol followed experiences with the high number of volunteers working in refugee organisations at the time being: many volunteers left their jobs to support refugee care organisations and need meaningful proof of their newly gained qualification for future employment. Providing this, recognition motivates volunteers to become either involved in additional learning activities or facilitates or improves their employability.

Specifically, employers appreciate a clear identification of key competences akquired in voluntary work as certificates are seldom meaningful enough. The longer term impact of ValCoVol is in filling a gap for volunteers as well as employers who want to come together in a successful working relationship.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 49900 Eur

Project Coordinator

KULTUR UND ARBEIT EV & Country: DE

Project Partners

• QUALED obcianske zdruzenie pre kvalifikáciu a vzdelávanje
• KTP – Spolecnost pro kvalifikaci na trhu prace
• E-C-C Verein fuer interdisziplinaere Bildung und Beratung
• INTEGRA INSTITUT, Institut za razvoj clovekovih potentialov
• Università delle LiberEtà del Fvg