VINCE Project close to the finish line

VINCE project partners met for the policy talks in Thessaloniki from 15-17 May, 2019.   The aim of the meeting was to discuss with stakeholders (CEDEFOP, EC, NGOs, Regional Parliament participating at the meeting) policy recommendations that will contribute to the development of policies in that direction, so that newcomers have the chance to become full members of our society.

The number of refugees and migrants who reach Europe, escaping from wars or critical life conditions and looking for new life opportunities, has increased dramatically in recent years. These newcomers face many challenges in settling into Europe, and among these are the obstacles to continuing their studies or accessing the labour market.

Newcomers are often prevented from enjoying their rights by many legal and practical barriers. This also represents an obstacle to their integration in hosting societies. One of the main challenges newcomers face is that, although they are frequently educated and skilled, their competences may not be recognised in the host society. Sometimes they reach their destination without official documentation that would prove their education level in their countries of origin. Other times language or cultural barriers prevent their integration. Validation of non-formal and informal learning (VNIL) could be a solution for newcomers.

The policy recommendations will be published next months and will be presented at the policy roundtable taking place on 25th September 2019 in the European Parliament.

Additionally the jury announced the three finalist of the VINCE validation price that will present their work at the final conference in Barcelona in November.