Strengthening International Voluntary Service (IVS): Certification of Volunteer Skills and Advocacy for Recognition (C-IVS Skills)

The C-IVS Skills Project aims to strengthen the recognition of skills acquired through International Voluntary Service (IVS) by developing a structured certification system, fostering advocacy for institutional recognition, and expanding digital access to validated competencies. This initiative directly addresses the gap in formal recognition of IVS-acquired skills, preventing young volunteers from leveraging their experiences in academic and professional settings. Through a multi-stakeholder approach including organisations from Africa and Europe, the project will integrate existing impact measurement tools with a Digital Certification Platform, allowing IVS volunteers to document and validate their learning outcomes. By aligning certification with European (EQF, Youthpass) and African (ACQF, AUVLP) qualification frameworks, C-IVS Skills will ensure cross-border recognition, linking non-formal learning with employability pathways. The project will implement youth exchanges, youth participation activities, and policy advocacy actions, engaging key stakeholders such as universities, policymakers, and employers. Pilot initiatives across IVS projects will test the certification framework, ensuring usability and accessibility for youth, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. A comprehensive advocacy strategy will integrate IVS certification into EU and AU youth policies, promoting its formal adoption in education and labour markets. The project will establish partnerships with universities, enabling IVS experiences to contribute to academic credit transfer, and collaborate with employers to enhance youth employability through recognized micro-credentials. By leveraging digital innovation, institutional engagement, and structured policy advocacy, C-IVS Skills will establish a sustainable model for IVS skill recognition, ensuring long-term accessibility and institutional adoption across Europe, Africa, and beyond.