<< Background >>A. CONTEXT OF THE ACTION Boosted by advancements in communication and transport technologies, economies are becoming more and more globalized. Globalization generates migration of jobs and migration of workforces. As economies become increasingly globalized, VET (VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING) and AE (ADULT EDUCATION) policies must be internationalized accordingly. Many strategic documents on European and national level (strategies and recommendations) emphasis the urgent need, VET and AE polices has to ensure the quality and relevance of the outputs and outcomes vis-à-vis global labor market needs and adapt to the new trends of internationalization. These needs are highly prioritized in following documents:COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on vocational education and training (VET) for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilienceETF recommendation for a stronger, regulation of private providers, in order to ensure the quality of training.Internationalization in education is implementing by national strategies involving:(1) Introducing transnational contents in qualifications/curricula, including languages, cross-cultural competences, internet competence, international norms/standards, etc. (2) Fostering international experience through training/work placements abroad; and (3) Internationalizing the ‘form’ of qualifications through transnational development of joint qualifications, mutual recognition of ‘foreign’ qualifications, credit transfer and interoperability of qualifications. B. SPECIFIC PROBLEMS AND NEEDSTo enable interoperability of qualifications, and respond to the new world of globalization and technology, VET and AE providers have to:- Adopt common methodology for modular learning, based on learning outcomes and micro-credentials- Participate in European Digital Credentials Infrastructure, developing under Europass platformBoth needs are identified as one of its 12 flagship actions In the NEW European skills agenda, published on 1 July 2020, to support the quality, transparency and uptake across the EU:Action 10: A European approach to micro-credentialsAction 11: New Europass platformAnd are parts of Communication for achieving the new European Education area by 2025.C. WHY IS THE ACTION RELEVANT?This project will improve standardization and quality, both in VET and AE education. Additionally, will improve strategic and cross-sectoral cooperation between different VET and AE providers, across Europe and their internationalization.Implementation of Europass Learning Model will enable digitalization, transparency and transferability of qualifications on European level. The Europass Learning Model aims to capture the results of any non-formal and formal learning across Europe, as well as the validation of non-formal and informal learning. It is designed to provide a single format to describe certificates of attendance, examination results, degrees and diplomas, diploma supplements, professional certifications, employer recommendations and any other kind of claims that are related to learning.Any school, college, university or training provider in Europe may use this tool to issue credentials for free and secure them with their e-seal. Credentials can be e-mailed to learners or directly deposited to their Europass profiles.A micro-credential is a proof of the learning outcomes that a learner has acquired following a short learning experience. These learning outcomes are assessed against transparent standards.The proof is contained in a certified document that lists the name of the holder, the achieved learning outcomes, the assessment method, the awarding body and, where applicable, the qualifications framework level and the credits gained. Micro-credentials are owned by the learner, can be shared, are portable and may be combined into larger credentials or qualifications. They are underpinned by quality assurance following agreed standards.<< Objectives >>Main objective of this project is: Contributing to the quality assurance in VET and AE, by adaptation of private VET/ AE providers to the sustainable model of certification based on micro credentials, and introduction of digital tool for issuing digital certificates, compatible with the Europass Digital Credentials Infrastructure (EDCI), with full implementation of the standards, modules and credits for qualifications and trainings they provide. SO1 Adopting common principles and methodologies in regular work of AE/VET providers, to enable interoperability of qualifications;SO2 Improve quality standards at AE/VET providers on European level;SO3 Introduce digitalization in systems for certification; andSO4 Facilitate validation of non-formal and informal learning.Target group are VET and AE providers (non-formal) across the Europe, beneficiaries of their services, practitioners and policy makers in the field of VET and AE and wider all stakeholders active in those fields.The project aims, VET and AE providers to go digital, minimize the need for paper documents and issues all documentation directly to the learners’ portfolio. This initiative will improve quality assurance in VET and AE, and it is in line with:Priorities of the new Erasmus+ program Erasmus initiative – Erasmus without paper, Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027)A European Green DealProject is cross-sectoral enabling joint improvement to the quality and standards both in VET and AE providers across Europe. All partner organizations are provides in VET and AE . From that perspective, the project fits well, both in the field of VET and in the field AE. The main objective of this project is interoperability of qualifications, with the main focus on the vocational qualifications. In that regard this project is prepared for the VET field.<< Implementation >>The project will have 30 months of international and interdisciplinary collaboration between AE/VET providers from North Macedonia together with other EU based partners (Austria, Italy and Croatia).Project activities could be grouped in the following format:A. Project management activities- Coordination of project implementation;- Establishment of mechanisms and procedures for communications among the partners;- Ensuring clear division of task and responsibilities among the partners;- Organization of events, activities and providing operational capacity;- Providing logistic;- Project administration / providing proper documentation; - Reporting;- Budget planning and cost management;- Selection of experts and participants;- Ensuring quality in implementation.B. Implementation activitiesTransnational project meetings. This project envisages two meetings of the project partners with physical presence and at three online meetings. The first meeting will be at the start of the project implementation, with aim to formally establish the partnership and formalize all rules and procedures for project implementation. The next two will be in online. In M22, before production of the last Project result, partners will meet to evaluate the project implementation and ensure the quality of dissemination activities. M5 will be online for final coordination of multiplier events and reporting preparation.Development of project results. This project will deliver 5PR:PR1 Mapping of applied methodologies in developing existing curricula of accredited trainings at AE / VET providers and benchmarking report, with recommendations for development of common methodology.PR2 Research and development of common methodology for adaptation of existing curricula, to the modular learning (based on learning outcomes and micro-credentials).PR3 Infrastructure for digital certification compatible with Europass model and digital credentials.PR4 Guideline for VET/ AE providers how to introduce micro-credentials digital credential model to their systems for certification.PR5 Policy recommendations for improving the national systems for quality assurance in VET and AE, by implementing standards and principles from European models.Multiplier events. This project envisages fife multiplier events, per one in each of participating countries and one online targeting wider community. Relevant stakeholders will be invited to be acknowledged about the project results. Learning training and teaching activities:Joint staff training1: How to implement common methodology for curricula development, based on learning outcomes and micro-credentials.Joint staff training2: How to integrate digital certification system in to regular work of AE/VET providers.C. Monitoring and evaluation activitiesMonitoring and evaluation infrastructure will be established at first TPM of the partners. Plan of activities „Quality Management Plan“ with clear qualitative and quantitative indicators will be adopted at the start of implementation. All partners will be responsible to check, control and fulfill all tasks for achievement of indicators. D. Dissemination activitiesThis project will be implemented with a clear strategy for dissemination in order to optimize the value of the project, to strengthen its impact and to transfer its achievements to the other contexts. Partner organizations will start draft a plan for dissemination at the first and adopt it on second TPM. This plan will provide clear division of task and responsibilities and will include all projects results and achievements.<< Results >>MAIN outcomes of the project are related with the Project results that will be delivered in the phase of implementation.Measurable PROJECT RESULTS:1.Prepared and published PR1 Mapping of applied methodologies in developing existing curricula of accredited trainings at AE / VET providers and benchmarking report with recommendations for development of common methodology;2.Prepared, published and implemented PR2 Common methodology for adaptation of existing curricula, to the modular learning (based on learning outcomes and micro-credentials);3.Prepared and implemented PR3 Infrastructure for digital certification compatible with Europass model and digital credentials;4.Prepared and published PR4 Guideline for VET/ AE providers how to introduce micro-credentials digital credential model to their systems for certification;5.Prepared and published PR5 Policy recommendations for improving the national systems for quality assurance in VET and AE, by implementing standards and principles from European models6.Trained staff for implementation of joint methodology for curricula development, based on learning outcomes and micro-credentials.7.Trained staff to integrate digital certification system in to regular work.Intangible results of implementation activities:- Improved transparency and quality standards of VET/AE providers; - Improved strategic and cross-sectoral cooperation between different VET and AE providers across Europe;- Improved internationalization of European VET and AE providers;- Increased flexibility and opportunities in VET and AE.Measurable results of overall PROJECT MANAGEMENT:- Communication plan;- Partnership agreements;- Established reporting and monitoring system;- Interim and final reports;- 2+3 transnational meetings;- Proper documentation from each activity.Intangible results of overall PROJECT MANAGEMENT:- Smooth project implementation within budget frame and time schedule;- Improved cooperation on international level;- Improved management competences in EU projects;- Increased quality in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and follow-up of EU/international projects.Measurable results of PROJECT DISSEMINATION and awareness raising:- Dissemination plan;- Social media campaign;- Multiplier events;- Media articles;- Web publications on partner websites.Intangible results of PROJECT DISSEMINATION and awareness raising:- Broad outreach to target groups & well informed and motivated target groups;- Positive attitude towards the IQ-DigitS project and its values;- Good attendance in project events & creation of IQ-DigitS community via social media and networking events.Measurable results of SUSTAINABILITY- Sustainability and exploitation plan;- Awareness campaigns to other VET/AE providers.Intangible Results of SUSTAINABILITY- Increasing IQ-DigitS community;- Increasing number of VET/AE providers implementing IQ-DigitS concept;- Increasing public authorities and stakeholders interested in IQ-DigitS concept.