On 28 February, Monaco gave a voluntary contribution of 50,000 Euros to the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees. The Monegasque Ambassador, Rémi Mortier and the Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni noted the importance of such practical solutions for social cohesion.
Monaco joins the Governments of Flanders-Belgium and Georgia as well as the ministries of education of Greece, Italy, Norway in providing invaluable financial support for this initiative.
The EQPR helps refugees to rebuild their lives in their host countries by giving them the opportunity to have their qualifications assessed even when they cannot provide a complete documentation to prove that they hold such qualifications. In this way, the EQPR supports the implementation of the Article VII of the Lisbon Recognition Convention facilitating the recognition of refugees’ qualifications even in the absence of full documentation. The EQPR is also part of the Council of Europe Action plan on Protecting Refugee and Migrant Children in Europe.
By the end of 2019, 543 candidates had been interviewed (out of which 194 were online interviews). 454 EQPRs had been issued.
Partners include the Greek Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs, the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research, the Conference of University Rectors of Italy, the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, the Government of Flanders - Belgium and qualification recognition centres (ENICs) in Armenia, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom.
The UNCHR also supports the project, including through its Representations in Greece and in Strasbourg.
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