CREDIPILLS for XXI Century Skils
A new European project is being launched at the Polytechnic of Portalegre and aims to take 21st-century competences to the next level. The idea is simple: to create “21st-Century Skills Pills” – short and intensive modules designed to develop, step by step, essential competences for studying, working, and living in a constantly changing world.
Throughout the project, a flexible competence development system linked to micro-credentials will be created, allowing students to progressively accumulate evidence of learning in “small steps” and have these competences formally recognised. In the first phase, learning outcomes will be defined and a taxonomy will be developed to serve as the foundation for a robust micro-credential system. Afterwards, coherent pathways (Skills Pills) will be designed and tested using the EUROPASS platform.
The project is led by the Polytechnic of Portalegre and brings together partners from Poland, Italy, Spain, Malta, and Serbia, uniting several European institutions around a common goal: to better prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century.
Objectives
The objective of the project is to develop and validate an innovative approach to the development and certification of 21st-century competences, whose key component is the “21st-Century Skills Pills” (short, intensive teaching modules designed to develop essential competences). Within the scope of the project, we plan to create a system of flexible methods for the development of 21st-century competences and link it to a micro-credential system that will confirm the progressive acquisition of these competences by students in “small steps”.
As part of the project, in the first phase, learning outcomes will be prepared and a taxonomy of those outcomes will be developed, providing a solid foundation for the creation of an effective and reliable micro-credential system. In the subsequent phase, coherent pathways for the development of 21st-century competences during studies (in the form of Skills Pills pathways) will be developed and tested using the EUROPASS platform.
Mission
The mission of the project is to transform the way 21st-century competences are developed, structured, and recognised within higher education. Through the implementation of “21st-Century Skills Pills” and an integrated micro-credential system, the project seeks to create a flexible and student-centred learning model that supports the progressive acquisition of essential competences.
By enabling learners to build and validate their skills step by step, with formal recognition and European visibility, the project aims to enhance employability, adaptability, and lifelong learning. Ultimately, its mission is to better prepare students to navigate the academic, professional, and societal challenges of an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving world.
