Funding validation : a thematic report for the 2016 update to the European inventory on validation of non-formal and informal learning

This thematic report presents an overview of funding sources for validation of non-formal and informal learning and discusses associated issues such as sustainability and accessibility. It is based on data collected for the European inventory on validation of non-formal and informal learning since 2007, and telephone interviews carried out to prepare four detailed case-study examples. The report identifies five different funding sources used by countries across Europe: dedicated public funding from national sources; public funding but not specifically allocated to validation; EU and project funding; mix of public and private sector funding; and fees charged to individual learners. For each of these, it sets out a list of strengths/enablers and barriers/weaknesses. The report concludes with a list of key learning points and suggests that there is scope to look into the issue of validation funding in more detail.