EU4Youth: Eastern Partnership institutions explore Austria’s model for recognising skills gained outside formal education

On 27-28 November 2025, more than 80 representatives from Eastern Partnership countries and the European Union joined a virtual study visit to Austria to learn how non-formal and informal learning can be formally recognised and converted into valuable qualifications.

The event was organised by the ‘EU4Youth: Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship’ programme in cooperation with the European Centre for Freedom and Independence (EUCFI, Austria).

During the two-day event, Austrian stakeholders demonstrated how validation becomes effective when embedded in national standards, supported by employers and linked to the National Qualifications Framework. Participants explored practical tools such as the aufZAQ certification system, Digital Volunteer Passport, assessor training systems, and the accreditation of youth-work competences.

“Recognising skills gained beyond formal education is no longer optional – it is essential for building inclusive, future-ready labour markets,” said Evgeniia Petrivska, Key Expert of the ‘EU4Youth – Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship’ programme. “This online study visit demonstrated how cooperation between governments, civil society and social partners can turn non-formal learning and volunteering into meaningful opportunities for young people.”

The programme featured contributions from EU partners (the European Training Foundation, SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre) and a wide range of Austrian public institutions, research bodies and youth sector organisations, including the Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, the Federal Ministry for Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation, the Federal Chancellery (Youth Competence Centre), the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), and  WienXtra – Institute for Leisure Education.

“Austria’s experience proves that recognising skills from non-formal learning and volunteering is a long-term investment in people. Thanks to strong cooperation and strategic planning, validation becomes a tool for employment, inclusion, and resilience – and a powerful model for Eastern Partnership countries,” said Olena Bekreniova, Co-Founder of the European Centre for Freedom and Independence (EUCFI, Austria).

The ‘EU4Youth Phase III – Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship’ programme, funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, is implemented by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA) in the Eastern Partnership countries. The programme will run until the middle of 2026 and aims to provide technical assistance to governmental and non-governmental organisations to tackle youth unemployment and improve employability.

Find out more

Recordings of the virtual study visit are available here: Day 1 and Day 2