CREDEX works to identify best practices and address existing gaps in microcredential ecosystems across the EU. The project facilitates the creation and implementation of microcredential frameworks in the cultural and creative industries sector and promotes their mutual recognition across member states and regions.
Strategic objectives:
Analyse and consolidate an overview of microcredentials in the cultural and creative industries (CCI) sector
Facilitate the development and adoption of microcredential frameworks in the CCI sector through stakeholder engagement
Promote the mutual recognition and transferability of microcredentials between EU member states
Foster policy discussions that strengthen the importance of microcredentials for the competitiveness of the CCI sector and for lifelong learning
Outputs:
Policy forum and recommendations
Database of microcredential providers
Microcredential frameworks
Local and EU-level Living Labs
Comparative overview of quality assurance principles and mechanisms
Comparative analysis of CCI microcredentials in terms of assessment and transferability
Roadmap for the development of microcredentials in the CCI sector
Train-the-Trainer programme
Find the project on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-credex/about/
Project website: http://creative-credex.eu/
Living Lab seminars
28.01.2026 in Tartu
CREDEX Living Lab: micro-credentials for creatives in practice.
As part of the Creative CREDEX: Living Lab discussions at the Tartu Centre for Creative Industries brought together university representatives and creative entrepreneurs to explore the real value of micro-credentials.
Outcome: A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was developed through the co-creation of different stakeholders.
28.01.2026 in Tartu
Micro-credentials in the creative sector: trend or the new normal?
At Creative CREDEX Living Lab 2, together with Eneli Kindsiko and group of participants at Tartu Centre for Creative Industries we explored how learning is changing — especially in the creative sector.
Outcome: The development perspectives of micro-credentials were mapped through co-creation in the context of global changes.
09.04.2026 in Tallinn
Future trends: do learning bites really work in the creative sector?
Outcome: Development perspectives were validated through co-creation. It was found that micro-credentials function as flexible and fast solutions, but require clearer differentiation, greater awareness among learners and employers, stronger cross-sector collaboration, and more sustainable funding models.
21–22 April in Dublin
Partners and invited stakeholders will gathered at Creative Spark Dundalk in Dundalk for the CREDEX Policy Forum, partners’ Consortium Meeting and European Living Lab.
The sessions focused on insights emerging from the Local Living Labs across Europe, exploring:
• best practices in micro-credential development
• barriers to recognition and validation
• approaches to quality assurance and certification
• portability and mobility across learning systems
• informal upskilling pathways in CCIs
Results and recources
Here you will find the key outputs and resources developed within the CREDEX project. This section provides access to reports, guidelines, tools, and other materials that support the development, quality assurance, and recognition of micro-credentials in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). All resources are made available to support learning, policy development, and practical implementation across different national and European contexts.
Total project budget: €891,787
Duration: 36 months (01.03.2025 – 29.02.2028)
Lead partner: Materahub Industrie Culturali e Creative (Italy)
Partners:
Indire Istituto Nazionale di Documentazione per l’innovazione e la Ricerca Educativa (Italy)
Stichting European Creative Business Network (Netherlands)
Stichting Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht (Netherlands)
Creative Spark Limited (Ireland)
Crafts Council of Ireland Limited (Ireland)
Haute Ecole ICHEC – ECAM – ISFSC (Belgium)
Tartu Centre for Creative Industries (Estonia)
Co-funding: EU Erasmus+ programme, ERASMUS-EDU-2024-POL-EXP-MICRO-CRED
Contact:
Maret Ahonen, Project Manager, Tartu Centre for Creative Industries
maret@lmk.ee
