The background report aims to present the members, the objectives, the planned activities, the relevant policy issues of the Thematic Group on Transparency of qualifications, Validation of non-formal and informal learning and Credit transfer, in the framework of the Leonardo da Vinci Programme 2000-2006 and the Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013.

After an introduction on the Leonardo Thematic Monitoring initiative and a short description of the Thematic Groups past achievements and current activities, the document mainly focuses on the state of the art and the perspectives for the future of European policy developments in the fields of transparency of qualifications and credit transfer, as well as of validation of non-formal and informal learning. Furthermore, it outlines how these themes are dealt with in the context of the former two phases of the Leonardo da Vinci Programme and in the new Lifelong Learning Programme.

A relevant bibliography, some interesting Websites, the contact details of the Thematic Group members and some examples of relevant Leonardo da Vinci projects under the themes complete the document.

The background report has been realised by the Italian Leonardo da Vinci National Agency ISFOL and the Agence Europe Education Formation France, with contributions from all the members of the Leonardo da Vinci Thematic Group on Transparency of qualifications, Validation of non-formal and informal learning, Credit transfer.