Cedefop is inviting vocational education and training (VET) institutions from 29 countries to become ReferNet partners and help take the network to its first quarter of a century of contribution to the exchange of knowledge and policy advice on VET in Europe.
ReferNet is a network of institutions created by Cedefop in 2002 to provide information on VET systems and policies in the EU Member States, Iceland and Norway. Its operation is organised through four-year Framework Partnership Agreements.
With its call for proposals, which has a total budget of EUR 3,760,000, Cedefop is seeking to sign a four-year agreement with one applicant from each eligible country for the years 2024 to 2027. During that period, ReferNet will be the main source of information on national VET systems and developments contributing annually to Cedefop monitoring of policy developments in line with the EU priorities in VET, skills, and qualifications.
The network's role has been strengthened as part of the integrated approach to policy monitoring and reporting of the Council Recommendation on VET and the Osnabrück Declaration, calling for a close cooperation of ReferNet with the Directors General for Vocational Training in the EU Member States.
Under this call for proposals, applicants are expected to submit:
- a proposal for a four-year framework partnership agreement for the years 2024-2027 and
- a proposal outlining their 2024 work plan for ReferNet's action for 2024.
A network of cooperation based on mutual benefit
As Loukas Zahilas, Cedefop's Head of Department for VET and Qualifications, notes, building on the experience of the first 21 years, ReferNet moves ahead:
'It is a network of cooperation based on mutual benefit. One of Cedefop’s core missions is the "dissemination of all useful documentation and information" and the relationship with ReferNet concerning its dissemination strategy is a two-way exchange: ReferNet can use Cedefop to disseminate work undertaken in organisations within the national consortia and equally Cedefop can access ReferNet’s national dissemination channels.'
Concerning the profile of the partners sought by Cedefop, Mr Zahilas says:
'Our ReferNet national partners are key organisations involved in VET in their countries and therefore, all partners are particularly well-placed to offer first-hand information on VET’s role, purpose, governance and structure, insights into developments and trends in VET policies as well as in-depth analysis of how each country is progressing in its implementation of common European policy objectives.'
The deadline for submission of proposals is 6 October 2023, and the full call is published in all EU official languages in the Official Journal of the European Union.
