At Rinova, we have been at the forefront of recognizing and validating professional skills for over a decade. Our work in applied research, training, and professional education has long aligned with the core principles behind microcredentials—even before the term became widely adopted in EU policy. Now, through the STREAM consortium, we are continuing to develop and refine approaches to microcredentials that are both practical and impactful.
A Well-Walked Path
Our engagement with microcredentials builds on a strong foundation. As early as 2012, through European Cultural Learning Network (ECLN), we explored how to recognize and validate the expertise of creative practitioners at a European level—work that led to the CLOCK system, which continues today. Other initiatives, such as Job Broker, Talent Matching Europe, and Creative Enterprise Mentor, have focused on defining and accrediting professional competences in diverse fields.
However, while the EU’s focus on microcredentials is a welcome development, many vocational education and training (VET) professionals still struggle to understand their application. Microcredentials are not just about issuing digital badges—they need to be meaningful, relevant, and connected to real-world professional pathways
STREAM and the Future of Microcredentials
Through the STREAM Blueprint, Rinova has been actively shaping the conversation on microcredentials, ensuring they align with practical needs in professional education. We work with trainers, mentors, youth workers, job brokers, and other professionals whose roles are evolving rapidly due to education reforms, technological advancements, and social shifts. Our approach prioritizes real-world applicability over bureaucracy, ensuring that microcredentials serve as valuable tools for professional development and mobility rather than as technical exercises disconnected from workplace realities.
While national qualification frameworks remain deeply tied to local employment regulations, we believe microcredentials offer an opportunity to enhance professional learning at a European level—especially in fields where formal qualifications may not fully capture the depth of expertise practitioners hold.
What is the STREAM initiative?
STREAM is a three-year EU funded project (2024–2026) designed to improve the quality and relevance of Work-Based Learning (WBL) and international mobility in VET. Led by C.I.O.F.S. FP ETS (Italy) and supported by 13 partners across 8 EU countries, STREAM responds to key challenges in VET by:
- Equipping VET staff and company employees with enhanced skills to meet emerging economic and labour market demands.
- Developing a rigorous Micro-Credential system to bridge the gap between education and employment.
- Strengthening WBL design, organization, and evaluation at both national and transnational levels.
- Promoting WBL within the European VET community, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Looking Ahead
As Rinova continues to contribute to applied research and innovation in microcredentials, we remain committed to bridging the gap between policy and practice. Through STREAM and other initiatives, we are helping shape a future where microcredentials are not just a buzzword, but a powerful tool for lifelong learning and career development.
The STREAM project was co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
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Website: streamcredentials.eu
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