BRAVO - Bridging a European Network for Recognition of Vocational Qualifications
The BRAVO project seeks to explore and enhance the extension of the role of the NARIC network in the field of vocational qualifications on EQF level 4 and 5.
Recently edited : 26. November 2024Project name: Bridging a European Network for Recognition of Vocational Qualifications (EQF 4 and 5)
Project Acronym: BRAVO
Project number: 101101715
Eligibility period: 01.01.2023 – 31.12.2024
Follow BRAVO on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bravoproject/
About BRAVO
The aim of this project is to extend the NARIC network to include a network for vocational qualifications. Further, the project will map knowledge on how vocational qualifications are assessed and recognized in Europe today and facilitate best practice sharing on vocational recognition through workshops.
To address the lacking cooperation in the field of recognition of vocational qualifications, the project will work towards extending the NARIC network to include a network for recognition of vocational qualifications. In order to gather knowledge on recognition policy and the work that NARIC offices and other relevant bodies are already doing on vocational qualifications, the project will identify relevant offices who are working with, or are planning to work with, recognition of vocational qualifications through a survey. In addition, there will be best practice sharing workshops on recognition of vocational qualifications.
At the end of the project period, the project will have:
- Mapped EU policy on recognition of vocational qualifications in Europe
- Mapped the scope of existing recognition schemes of vocational qualifications in Europe
- Mapped the relevant tools for assessment
- Identified relevant stakeholders in the vocational sector
- Established a network for better information flow about vocational qualifications across European countries
- Facilitated best practice sharing through workshops with the partners and relevant guests
- Delivered two reports; one with the results from the survey to the NARIC offices, and one with the main findings from the best practice workshops
Partners
Project Kick-off in Paris 9-10 March 2023
The kick-off meeting for the BRAVO project was held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris 9-10 March 2023. Project team members from all three partners attended the kick-off.
The meeting was an arena for the project members to get to know each other.
The Coordinating partner had a meeting with UNESCO where the project was described and the relevance of the project in todays Europe was discussed. UNESCO held interesting presentations for all the partners, and listened to the partners when they held their presentations about how they work.
The project team went through project administration, documentation and budget. There was an in depth session about the project aim, workplan and all the work packages. In addition, the project team went through the Consortium Contract and the Communication Strategy.
The project team also had a workshop where the activities related to the survey and the desk research were discussed and worked on.
Kick-off at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris.
The Bravo Survey
The BRAVO project distributed a survey to the NARIC network in May 2023. Through this survey, the project has aimed to identify relevant recognition offices and stakeholders who are working with, or are planning to work with, recognition of vocational qualifications. In addition, the nature of the recognition schemes for vocational qualifications was explored. The survey also aimed to find whether there is interest and need for a potential network for recognition of vocational qualifications.
Watch the main survey results presented in the BRAVO survey webinar (17 minutes).
Project Reports
Report 1: Mapping recognition of foreign vocational qualifications
The first project report was produced halfway through the BRAVO project and presents the results of the BRAVO survey. The survey was designed for the ENIC-NARIC network, and selected other recognition authorities, and aimed to map their practices on assessing foreign vocational qualifications. The results are presented together with the project team’s own research to show the connections to European policies on recognition of vocational qualifications. The report provides a description of the results, which was designed to lay the foundations for further discussions, workshops and analysis leading to recommendations during the second half of the project.
Report 2: Future possibilities for recognition of vocational qualifications in Europe
The second BRAVO report builds upon the findings of the first project report and further explores the challenges, opportunities, and recommendations related to establishing a network dedicated to recognition of foreign vocational qualifications. This report presents the outcomes of various workshops and expert discussions conducted throughout the project period. The aim is to provide concrete recommendations for a network that addresses the needs of stakeholders involved in recognition of vocational qualifications across the EU and the broader Europe.
Watch the project findings and recommendations presented in the two reports, along with valuable contributions from guests, in the BRAVO project results - webinar (1:22 hours).
Project workshop in Cologne 14-15 February 2024
The meeting in the beautiful city of Cologne marked the second phase of a workshop series for the BRAVO project. Project team members from all three partner countries gathered to discuss vocational qualification recognition methodology in practise. The meeting was also a unique opportunity to learn more about recognition of foreign vocational qualifications in Germany from our host, the BQ Portal, as well as ENIC-NARIC Germany and guests from different recognition bodies in Germany.
To the great joy of the team, the workshop was also visited by the Senior Human Capital Development Expert Michael Graham at the European Training Foundation (ETF). He presented the work currently being done by ETF to map and support qualifications recognition centres in their partner countries.
The discussions among BRAVO team members and guests contributed to a better understanding of the diversity of recognition procedures and services that exist in Germany and throughout the ENIC-NARIC network. The outcomes of the workshop in Cologne will be elaborated further in the final report of the project.
In October 2023, the project team met in the historic city of Vilnius to map out the current policy context on vocational qualifications at EU level. This workshop was visited by Kinga Szebeni,Seconded National Expert at European Commission DG, as well as Gunnar Vaht, member of the NARIC Advisory Board (NAB).
Project workshop in Stockholm 12-13 June 2024
The third and last workshop of the BRAVO project took place in the wonderful city of Stockholm. BRAVO team members from the three partner countries Norway, Sweden and Lithuania gathered to summarize the project activities, discuss future cooperation and possibilities for a network for recognition of vocational qualifications.
Seconded National Expert at Cedefop Carita Blomqvist contributed with valuable information about Cedefop activities to support the comparison and recognition of vocational qualifications, transparency instruments and their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and conceptual basis.
The meeting was also visited by Margareth Haukås, a representative for ReferNet Norway. She presented the organization, the management and the tasks of the national ReferNet team.
The main themes of the workshop were a possible network for recognition of vocational qualifications, cooperation, and common resources and tools for better comparison of vocational qualifications.The discussions of this workshop will valuable contributions to the second project report.
The webinar for the ENIC-NARIC networks and stakeholders is planned to be held in September 2024.
BRAVO Project Final Conference in Brussels 20 November 2024
The BRAVO project recently held its final conference in Brussels, bringing together experts and stakeholders from across Europe to discuss the future of recognition of vocational qualification. Representatives from the European Commission, Cedefop, the European Training Foundation, ENIC-NARIC networks, and other organizations participated, highlighting the growing importance of recognition in addressing labor market challenges.
The conference emphasised the critical role recognition plays in improving mobility, enabling access to employment and supporting further education. Participants explored how European tools such as EQF and Europass can assist recognition efforts, while also addressing the potential of AI and digital credentials to simplify processes.
As the BRAVO project concludes, it leaves behind valuable insights and recommendations for building a structured European network dedicated to recognition of vocational qualifications, laying the groundwork for continued progress in this essential area.
Thank you to all contributors and participants for making this event a resounding success!
Questions? Please contact us at bravo@hkdir.no.
Follow BRAVO on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bravoproject/
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.