Background and Rationale:
Background and Rationale:
The eQval project addresses a significant need within the European Union to standardise and enhance the quality of validating learning outcomes acquired through volunteering activities. Volunteering offers a rich environment for non-formal and informal learning, yet the skills and competences gained often go unrecognised due to a lack of consistent validation methodologies across different countries and sectors. The eQval project aims to bridge that gap by developing a comprehensive set of European Quality Standards for this validation process.
The eQval project addresses a significant need within the European Union to standardise and enhance the quality of validating learning outcomes acquired through volunteering activities. Volunteering offers a rich environment for non-formal and informal learning, yet the skills and competences gained often go unrecognised due to a lack of consistent validation methodologies across different countries and sectors. The eQval project aims to bridge that gap by developing a comprehensive set of European Quality Standards for this validation process.
The rationale stems from the increasing importance of lifelong learning and the recognition of skills gained outside formal education systems. For volunteers, having their learning validated can significantly boost their employability, personal development, and civic engagement. For organisations, a quality-assured validation process can improve the effectiveness of their volunteering programmes and demonstrate the value of their work. For education and training providers, it offers a framework to integrate these learning outcomes into formal qualifications. The eQval project, therefore, seeks to empower individuals, strengthen civil society organisations, and contribute to a more skilled and inclusive European workforce.
The rationale stems from the increasing importance of lifelong learning and the recognition of skills gained outside formal education systems. For volunteers, having their learning validated can significantly boost their employability, personal development, and civic engagement. For organisations, a quality-assured validation process can improve the effectiveness of their volunteering programmes and demonstrate the value of their work. For education and training providers, it offers a framework to integrate these learning outcomes into formal qualifications. The eQval project, therefore, seeks to empower individuals, strengthen civil society organisations, and contribute to a more skilled and inclusive European workforce.
Project Work Plan and Activities
Project Work Plan and Activities
The eQval project officially commenced in January 2023. The project is structured around several key Work Packages (WPs) designed to collaboratively develop, test, refine, and disseminate the eQval Guide – the primary output containing the European Quality Standards.
The eQval project officially commenced in January 2023. The project is structured around several key Work Packages (WPs) designed to collaboratively develop, test, refine, and disseminate the eQval Guide – the primary output containing the European Quality Standards.
WP1 Project Management: This ongoing work package ensures the smooth coordination of all project activities, including administrative and financial management, communication, quality assurance, risk management, and the implementation of dissemination and sustainability plans. Regular online meetings facilitate collaboration and monitoring.
WP1 Project Management: This ongoing work package ensures the smooth coordination of all project activities, including administrative and financial management, communication, quality assurance, risk management, and the implementation of dissemination and sustainability plans. Regular online meetings facilitate collaboration and monitoring.
WP2 Development and Translation: This work package focused on the initial development of the eQval Standards. Key activities included: definition of the first version of the European Quality Standards in Validation of Learning Outcomes from Volunteering; translation of this first version into partner languages; a European consultation on the first version, involving a total of 684 people from across the EU, representing all stakeholders involved in the validation of learning outcomes from volunteering (66 universities, 64 vocational schools, 64 providers of non-formal education, 61 enterprises, 42 public administrations and policymakers in the field of education and training, 155 voluntary organisations, 232 volunteers); definition of the second version of the Standards based on consultation feedback; translation of the second version of the Standards; editing of the first version of the eQval Guide; translation of the first version of the eQval Guide into partner languages.
WP2 Development and Translation: This work package focused on the initial development of the eQval Standards. Key activities included: definition of the first version of the European Quality Standards in Validation of Learning Outcomes from Volunteering; translation of this first version into partner languages; a European consultation on the first version, involving a total of 684 people from across the EU, representing all stakeholders involved in the validation of learning outcomes from volunteering (66 universities, 64 vocational schools, 64 providers of non-formal education, 61 enterprises, 42 public administrations and policymakers in the field of education and training, 155 voluntary organisations, 232 volunteers); definition of the second version of the Standards based on consultation feedback; translation of the second version of the Standards; editing of the first version of the eQval Guide; translation of the first version of the eQval Guide into partner languages.
WP3 Testing: This work package involved the practical testing of the eQval Guide. Key activities included: creation and translation of promotional materials and rules for a European Quality Award contest; publication of the eQval Guide and contest rules; receipt of applications for the award and support for applicants; evaluation of applications; and award ceremony in Brussels in November 2024. COCEMFE (Spain) and VOLABO (Italy) won the European Quality Award in Validation of Learning Outcomes from Volunteering 2024.
WP3 Testing: This work package involved the practical testing of the eQval Guide. Key activities included: creation and translation of promotional materials and rules for a European Quality Award contest; publication of the eQval Guide and contest rules; receipt of applications for the award and support for applicants; evaluation of applications; and award ceremony in Brussels in November 2024. COCEMFE (Spain) and VOLABO (Italy) won the European Quality Award in Validation of Learning Outcomes from Volunteering 2024.
