European recognition instrument for identifying and documenting learning

Short description:

Youthpass is a European recognition instrument for identifying and documenting learning outcomes that are acquired in projects under the Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps programmes. Youthpass promotes individual reflection and awareness about learning and helps to make learning outcomes visible for the learners themselves as well as for others. It aims to reinforce reflective practices in youth work and solidarity activities, thereby enhancing their quality and recognition. It also supports the continued pathways of young people and youth workers and raises visibility of the value of European engagement.

It is a part of the European Commission's strategy to foster the recognition of non-formal learning, putting policy into practice and practice into policy:

  • While creating their Youthpass certificate together with a support person, project participants are given the possibility to describe what they have done in their project and which competences they have acquired. Thus, Youthpass supports the reflection upon the personal non-formal learning process and outcomes.
  • As a Europe-wide recognition instrument for non-formal learning in the youth field, Youthpass strengthens the social recognition of youth work.
  • Youthpass supports active European citizenship of young people and of youth workers by describing the added value of their project.
  • Youthpass also aims at supporting the employability of young people and of youth workers by raising their awareness of and helping to describe their competences, and by documenting their acquisition of key competences on a certificate.

All participants of the projects approved under the Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps programmes are entitled to receive a Youthpass certificate, and thus recognition for their non-formal learning outcomes.

The responsibility to issue the Youthpass certificates to the participants/volunteers, in case they wish to receive them, lies with the organisation that signs the contract for the Erasmus+ grant.

Since its launch in 2007 till September 2019, more than 1.000.000 Youthpass certificates have been issued. On behalf of the European Commission, the SALTO Training and Cooperation Resource Centre has been in charge of the development and implementation of Youthpass since 2005.

More information:

Youthpass website: https://www.youthpass.eu/en/

Examples of certificates: https://www.youthpass.eu/en/help/demo-certificates/

Hanbooks:  https://www.youthpass.eu/en/publications/handbooks/

 Contact details[email protected]

Share your experience with this tool