The 23rd ReferNet annual plenary meeting took place in Thessaloniki, Greece and welcomed the representatives of our partner organizations under the 2024-27 framework partnership agreement, as well as national representatives of the network and the representatives from the European Commission (EU).
The aims of the meeting were to:
- inform partners of the latest EU policy developments on VET, skills and qualifications;
- take stock of the work carried out in 2025 and the outcomes published and disseminated;
- prepare the 2026 work plan: VET policy reporting, spotlight, news, visibility actions, etc.;
- foster partnership and knowledge-sharing through interactive (joint) presentations of national developments, debates, etc.;
- hold individual meetings for deeper cooperation among members and between members and Cedefop experts.
- convey in a physical open space, which will encourage creative reflection on how partners would like ReferNet to develop in the 2024-27 period.
Participants also had the opportunity to exchange good dissemination practices in a dedicated space where they could display their national publications, newsletters, videos, promotional items, etc and benefit from bilateral meetings.
In addition, just prior to the Plenary, on 20–21 October 2025, a conference dedicated to “Financing adult learning: The role of public funding”, was hosted where the first results of this year’s ReferNet Activity titled "Financing adult learning/CVET and recent developments on ILA" were presented.
Furthermore, during the second day of the Plenary (23 October), a thematic event focusing on “Microcredentials and the future of learning” took place, offering our partners the opportunity to present preliminary findings from the 2025 ReferNet Activity titled "Deepening on Microcredentials - labour market sector relevance, quality, and inclusion". Through these events, we aimed to showcase the work of ReferNet to the broader public and further enhance its visibility and impact at the European level.
Discussions positioned microcredentials within specific labour market sectors and will examine their potential to promote social inclusion of end-users (notably disadvantaged groups or individuals).
The event brought together policymakers, stakeholders, experts, and researchers to reflect on the role of microcredentials in redefining learning and work in the 21st century.
A dedicated session with ReferNet network was organised live (during the ReferNet Plenary) where they presented insights from their deliverable on microcredentials.
Engage in the discussion #Microcredentials #Microcredentials4LabourMarket
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Speakers
Event details
Downloads
23nd ReferNet Plenary meeting - Final agenda
23nd ReferNet Plenary - Guide for participants
23nd ReferNet Plenary - Privacy statement
Day 1 Session 1 - Keynote speech: The Union of Skills & the European VET Strategy - A. Banczyk
Day 1 Session 1 - A. Banczyk
Day 1 Session 2 - ReferNet: state of the network 2025-26 - I. Katsikis
Day 1 Session 3 - A. Kyriakopolou
Day 1 Session 3 - M. Papazoglou
Day 1 Session 3 - M. Zekmokas
Day 1 Session 3 - J. Napierala
Day 1 Session 4 - Z. Azzara
Day 1 Session 5 - M. Sekmokas
Day 1 Session 5 - A. Pouliou
Day 1 Session 6 - I. Jemeljanova
Day 2 Session 7 - A. Salmaso and C. Comunian
Day 2 Session 8 - A. Theocharous and N. Georgiadis
Day 2 Session 9 - A. Pouliou and I. Pliakis
Day 2 Session 10 - I. Katsikis
Day 2 Session 11 - R. Psifidou
Day 2 Session 11 - M. Sekmokas and P. Lipinska
Day 2 Session 11 - D. Kulss
Day 2 Session 12 The future of ReferNet
