The new platform and its network aim at contributing to the ongoing and future debate in Europe on validation of non-formal and informal learning. It also shows new pathways for the realisation of a European lifelong learning area.

The European Association for University Lifelong Learning (EUCEN) has launched the European Observatory of Validation of Non-formal and Informal Learning (VNIL). VNIL is an exchange platform for practitioners, policy-makers, institutions and learners including case studies, country-specific information and other useful documents can be shared on multiple formats.

VNIL primarily offers a platform for exchange, where a range of data can be found about validation practices of non-formal and informal learning in different educational sectors - higher education, vocational education and training, adult education - in Europe. The platform is interactive; you can contribute by rating and commenting documents and by adding new resources, for example case studies, to the repository. Frequent online debates around issues of the three selected topics from 2012-2013 will take place and invite you to share your views and to exchange with professionals in the field.

EUCEN will award the validation prize to the best case study submitted at the end of the project in 2013 - so start collecting your information!

For more information, please contact EUCEN.