CONTEXT / BACKGROUNDRecognising learning outcomes from different contexts is increasingly seen as a way of improving lifelong and life-wide learning. More European countries are emphasising the importance of making competencies visible and valuing learning that takes place outside formal education, for example at work and in form of open online learning.Yet, despite a number of initiatives and recommendations on the recognition of informal, non-formal and open learning there is a need for concepts and tools to put these into practise. What is needed in a networked, digital world are digital representations of achievements and outcomes which are easy to handle, can be aligned to competency frameworks and transferred between learning contexts and technical systems. Open Badges provide a response to the needs for the recognition of learning. Open Badges are digital micro-credentials based on a metadata standard. As opposed to traditional paper-based or electronic certificates, Open Badges can be linked to digital evidence and enable to align to existing competency frameworks such as European Qualification Framework or European classification of Skills, Competences, Occupations and Qualifications (ESCO). Open Badges are portable and verifiable, allowing learners to showcase work, document skill sets and competencies, and create a robust portrait of their abilities wherever they were acquired: in school, in the community, on the job or online. Open Badges also serve as useful tools for personal and organisational branding, enhance digital CVs and career profiles on the web, helping earners build professional identity and connect for projects, employment and civic engagement. Millions of badges have already been delivered globally and the initiative has received the support from leading organisations in the field of education, business, policy and citizenship.OBJECTIVESThe Open Badge Network (OBN) is an European strategic partnership dedicated to Open Badges and funded under the Erasmus + Program. Open Badge Network brings together organisations from across Europe to support the development of an Open Badge ecosystem, promoting the use of Open Badges in formal, non-formal and informal learning and creating conditions for a Europe-wide and world-wide recognition of learning achievements. OBN aims to provide a trusted source of independent information, tools and informed practice to support individuals and organisations who are interested in creating, issuing, earning, endorsing and using Open Badges in Europe and beyond. OBN takes on the leadership role in the European Open Badge movement. PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS1. BEUTH UNIVERSITY (DE) is the Coordinator and one of oldest Berlin’s universities of applied sciences.2. CAMPROF (UK) is a leading, innovative consultancy in the field of professional and vocational competencies.3. DIGITALME (UK) is a non-profit with a mission is to re-imagine learning for the 21st Century.4. DUO (NL) is the Education Executive Agency and part of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.5. EDEN (UK) is the European association in the field of open, flexible, distance and e-learning.6. ARTES (IT) is a non-profit research institute recognised by the Ministry of Research and National Education.7. ITEE (PL) is the Institute for Sustainable Technologies – a National Research Institute in Poland.8. SUPSI-DEASS (CH) is the Associated Partner – University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland.MAIN ACTIVITIESOBN main activities are: - Establish the framework and leadership for European Open Badge Network - Promote the use of Open Badges for the recognition of learning- Enhance and make transparent Open Badge initiatives in Europe- Contribute to Open Badges Infrastructure and OB standard- Create guidelines for using Open Badges for diverse target groups- Establish Open Badges at policy levels- Develop innovative practices with Open Badges- Formulare quality recommendations for other OB issuers, receivers and usersRESULTS AND IMPACTThe main results are:- Open Badge Network Portal as a trusted source of information- The European Open Badge Network as a sustainable Community of Practice- Guidelines and Discussion Papers on Open Badges for Individuals, Organisations, Territories, Quality Management and Policies- Competency Directory for semantic alignment of Open Badges with Competency Frameworks (EQF, ESCO)- Open Badges MOOC Concept and ResourcesThe key impacts are:- Enhanced awareness of Open Badges through cooperations in Europe, India, Canada and Africa- Contribution to the inclusion of Open Badges in Europass - Contribution to Open Badge Standard Version 2.0- Contribution to the inclusion of Open Badges in European Policies (e. g. Open Education)- Enhanced uptake of Open Badges in Europe and beyondLONG-TERM BENEFITS- Open Badge Leadership in Europe- Participation in the global OBN community- Capacity-building in Europe