Trading up Potential and Performance in Non-Formal Learning

Understanding, explicating, recognising and evaluating the quality of non-formal learning in the youth sector are questions for which researchers, policymakers and those working with young people are now trying to find answers. Developing productive relations between non-formal learning in schooling, higher, continuing and vocational education and employment is a more recent concern. The European Commission and Council of Europe Partnership Programme on Youth Research 2003-2005 held a seminar in April 2004 to debate these issues, starting with the view that learning is important wherever it takes place, in so far as it contributes towards fostering personal development, active citizenship, employability and social inclusion. This publication supports current efforts at European and national levels to improve the quality and recognition of non-formal learning not only in the youth sector, but also in other education and training contexts.