Project based on the Council of Europe Lisbon Recognition Convention

Partners include the Greek Ministry of Education 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 in Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK. 

The UNHCR Representation in Greece and the UNHCR Representation in Strasbourg also support the project.

What is the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees?

The European Qualifications Passport for Refugees is a document providing an assessment of the higher education qualifications based on available documentation and a structured interview. It also presents information on the applicant’s work experience and language proficiency. The document provides reliable information for integration and progression towards employment and admission to further studies.

It is a specially developed assessment scheme for refugees, even for those who cannot fully document their qualifications.

 Download the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees presentation leaflet

The Process:       

How long will this process take?

The questionnaire is normally sent to candidates three weeks before the evaluation, with two weeks to fill it in, allowing the evaluators one week to review them. The interviews themselves take between 45 minutes to one hour, after which a decision on whether or not to issue the document is made. If the decision is positive, the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees is issued and valid for five years from the date of issue.

When does this process start?

The project was launched in 2017 as a pilot initiative. During the pilot phase, three assessment sessions were held in Greece: 92 refugees were interviewed by credentials evaluators and 73 EQPRs were issued.

Starting from January 2018, a new phase of the project that will last three years (2018-2020) is being implemented. In 2018, five assessment sessions will be held in Greece, Italy and the Netherlands.

On the occasion of World Refugee Day 2020, the Council of Europe in co-operation with the UNHCR and the City of Strasbourg has launched a video "Everyone can make a difference - Every action counts" featuring the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR).

The Facebook Live debate entitled “Education and Refugees’ Integration: the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR)” was organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the UNHCR on 20 June 2019 on the occasion of World Refugee Day.

The video presents the EQPR as a tool supporting refugees’ integration into their host societies and it features interviews with representatives of the Council of Europe and UNHCR, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees, representatives of local authorities, NGOs working with refugees and universities. Three refugees, EQPR holders, share their experiences and expectations for the future in the video.

This video incorporates a video message by Tomáš Boček, Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees. It also features the stories of two refugees, Mahmoud Alkoko and Anwar Horani, who recount the impact the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees had on their lives.

Documentary on the Project "European Qualifications Passport for Refugees"

 Videos - Project "European Qualifications Passport for Refugees" - Project 2018-2020

  Videos - Project "European Qualifications Passport for Refugees" - Pilot Project 2017