Strengthening Capacities for the Implementation of Georgian National Qualifications Framework (NQF) through Referencing and Self-certifications Processes’’ – GEOREF
 

In 2024, the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement, a legal entity of public law, secured funding from the ERASMUS+ program for the project application titled “Strengthening Capacities for the Implementation of Georgian National Qualifications Framework (NQF) through Referencing and Self-certifications Processes’’ – GEOREF”.  
 
The National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement initiated this project to harmonize the Georgian National Qualifications Framework with the European Qualifications Frameworks. This involves the referencing and self-certification of the Georgian framework with European meta-frameworks (EQF-LLL, QF-EHEA), fulfilling one of the obligations under the EU Association Agreement and a key recommendation of the Bologna Process. The project began on October 22, 2024, and will continue until October 2026. It is implemented within the framework of the Erasmus+ program, with financial support from the European Union and co-financing from the Center.
  
The project aims to harmonize and align the Georgian National Qualifications Framework with the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF-LLL) and the Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA). This will ensure increased awareness of the Georgian education system and simplify the recognition of education obtained in Georgia in European Union countries.
 
Within the scope of the project, a self-assessment document for the referencing and self-certification of the Georgian National Qualifications Framework will be prepared by the fall of 2026, with the active involvement of national and international experts and the participation of all relevant stakeholders. 
 
The successful implementation of the project will also enhance the awareness of stakeholders through seminars and public discussions regarding the purpose and significance of the education subsystems (general, vocational, and higher education) and the National Qualifications Framework. 
 
It is noteworthy that information about the project’s activities will be shared with international partners, such as; the EQF Advisory Group of the European Qualifications Framework, the platform of national correspondents established within the framework of the European Higher Education Area Qualifications Framework (EHEA-QF), and the members of the Thematic Peer Group A on Qualifications Framework (TPG A on QF).
 
Alongside the project team, the implementation of the referencing and self-certification processes also involves the working group established by the Center’s Director’s Order No. 997194, dated August 15, 2023, for the purpose of carrying out the self-certification and referencing of the National Qualifications Framework; The representatives of the Advisory Council, created to support the implementation and development of the National Qualifications Framework and the Classifier of Fields of Study, are also involved.
 
The project also involves international experts from Estonia and Italy.
 
The project includes three peer learning activities (PLA) involving international and local experts and other relevant stakeholders.
 
Within the framework of various project activities, the involvement of representatives of neighboring countries in the self-certification and referencing process is also envisaged. This aims to promote the alignment of the education systems of the countries of the region with the European education system and to share best practices in the process of harmonizing national qualifications frameworks with European meta-frameworks.