The VISKI project aimed to achieve 5 primary objectives: Strengthening the recognition and validation of non-formal learning: VISKIO sought to make skills and competences acquired outside traditional educational settings more visible and formally acknowledged, addressing a gap in valuing such learning. Increasing the employability of learners by visualising their authentic skills: By allowing learners to present their actual abilities through projects on the digital portal, potential employers with a more comprehensive view than conventional qualifications, thereby boosting job prospects. Empowering teachers/trainers to act as mediators and counsellors: The project aimed to support educators in guiding and coaching students through self-directed learning processes, rather than delivering content. Integration of non-formal learning activities in HEIs: The project sought to embed challenge-based learning, where these skills are often gained, more formally within higher education systems through the use of the portal and toolbox. Reduction of skill mismatch: By making applicants' authentic transversal skills visible, the project aimed to help companies, the project aimed to help companies find candidates find better suited candidates
The VISKI project applied for funding primarily to enhance the recognition and validation of key competences such as entrepreneurship, creativity, and digital skills, which are vital for employability in a digital, globalized economy (according to CEDEFOP and OECD). These transversal skills are frequently acquired via informal and non-formal learning. The project sought to develop a digital tool for integrating incentives, validation, assessment, and recognition of these skills. Key needs addressed include making competence assessment more transparent, making informal/non-formal learning valuable, facilitating cross-border skill recognition using visual, language-independent methods, and reducing the gap between education and employment by engaging external organisations. Specifically, it aimed to meet the needs of students to showcase authentic skills to potential employers, HEIs/teachers to motivate project-based and challenge-based learning and ensure transparent assessment, and employers to reduce skill mismatch and streamline recruitment, as companies increasingly expect entrepreneurial action.