The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) has published a report in its Cedefop Insights series entitled ‘Digital tools for the portability of learning outcomes. Insights from a ReferNet survey’. The publication was based on a survey conducted in the first quarter of 2026 among national ReferNet partners across 27 countries. The report analyses how European countries are developing and using qualifications databases and digital credentials to enhance the transparency and portability of learning outcomes.
Key findings from the European study:
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Priority for qualifications databases: Public authorities in most surveyed countries dedicate the greatest policy attention to digital tools that provide information on qualifications, learning programmes, and accredited institutions.
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Drive towards single access points: Many countries are working to consolidate fragmented registries, establish integrated single access points, and link qualifications data with labour market needs and job vacancies.
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Varying maturity of digital credentials: The adoption of digital credentials in Europe remains in its developmental stages. Implementation is most advanced in higher education and initial vocational education and training (IVET), whereas uptake in general education and non-formal learning remains more limited.
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Focus on authenticity verification: Established credential verification mechanisms primarily focus on confirming authenticity and technical integrity. Advanced features, such as linking credentials to occupational profiles or supporting the automatic recognition of foreign qualifications, remain underdeveloped.
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Implementation barriers: Key challenges include a lack of consistent technical standards, incomplete system interoperability, limited financial and human resources, and the need to build trust in credentials awarded for learning outside formal systems.
Poland in the Cedefop report – key themes
The Cedefop report refers to developments in Poland on multiple occasions, highlighting the country as an active player in the digitalisation of qualifications:
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Integrated Qualifications Register (ZRK) as a comprehensive database: Poland, alongside countries such as Ireland, Denmark, and Norway, was highlighted as an example of a nation with a comprehensive central register linked to its Polish Qualifications Framework (PRK). The ZRK gathers information on qualifications from general education, vocational training, higher education, and qualifications awarded outside the formal system.
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Odznaka+: The report explicitly mentions Poland's Odznaka+ system as a registry tool for issuing and storing digital credentials. It highlights that Odznaka+ enables the documentation of learning outcomes acquired through non-formal and informal learning (e.g. participation in projects and events) and has been expanded to support micro-credentials with clearly defined sets of learning outcomes.
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Accelerating micro-credentials implementation: Poland (alongside Italy) was identified as a country where the deployment of digital credentials is significantly accelerating. Initial pilots, previously focused on the ICT sector, are expanding into broader national initiatives involving higher education institutions.
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Political commitment to digitalising qualifications: Poland is among a group of countries (alongside Ireland, Luxembourg, and Spain) that have made explicit policy commitments to transition from paper-based qualifications to digital formats.
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Broad range of credential issuers: The Polish system allows digital credentials to be issued not only by traditional educational institutions, but also by sectoral bodies, employers, and trusted service providers operating under the eIDAS regulation.
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Tools for employers: Poland reported ongoing work to develop tools that enable employers to assess and verify candidates' skills using digital credentials, carried out in cooperation with employer organisations.
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Legal challenges and guidance: The report notes that in Poland – as in countries such as Austria, Czechia, and Lithuania – factors affecting the pace of implementation include uncertainty over the full legal status of digital credentials and a lack of clear national regulatory guidelines.