Nefiks - Youth Partnership

Tools and Practices about recognition of youth work/ non-formal learning

Back Nefiks

System for recording your competences gained in non-formal education.

Short description:

Originally Nefiks was in the format of a booklet and was initiated in the late 90s by the youth organisation Društvo mladinski ceh. It was meant to be an ‘index of non-formal education’, following the model of the Finnish Recreational Study Book, which they had been introduced to by Nuorten Youthakademia. They designed a booklet with 6 possible areas of experience where young people could collect valuable learning outside of the formal/school setting. The booklet also became a good tool for youth organisations to describe the knowledge and skills young people obtained through involvement in their activities. Many volunteers and youth organisations started to use the booklet.

Nefiks was the very first tool for the recognition of non-formal learning outcomes that was recognised and supported by the Youth Office – part of the Ministry for Education in Slovenia.

In 2008 the original Nefiks booklet got a ‘younger brother’. That was e-Nefiks, a digital portfolio, easy to use, free of charge and accessible everywhere where the internet is available.

Apart from the already existing areas of experience in the original booklet (e.g. learning in non-formal education activities, volunteering, youth projects, etc.), the e-Nefiks also allowed space for employers recommendations, a competence printout and an integrated Europass CV. Individual users can also upload all other certificates they have received from different courses.

All the entries in the Nefiks portfolio, no matter the type of activity, require the following data:

WHAT (type of activity)

WHEN, WHERE & DURATION

CONTACT PERSON (employer, organizer, etc.) with his/her contact details

DESCRIPTION of the activity (of the gained experience, knowledge, skills)

LIST OF COMPETENCES according to the 8 key competences for lifelong learning, with integrated sub-competences

EVALUATION by the responsible persons in the activity (mentor/leader/trainer/employer)

SELF-EVALUATION by the participant

SIGNATURE AND MARK or IP address of a computer (of the person responsible for the activity)

The process of recording:

He user fills in all necessary fields, then the mentor/employer/trainer confirms it via e-conformation and states that all his or her contact information is in order and can be checked by interested parties.

Nefiks was recognized as a relevant tool for the recognition of non-formal learning experiences by the University of Ljubljana.

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