The overall objective of the ValCoVol strategic partnership is to provide an overview about projects, initiatives and methods for the validation of non-formal and informal learning, through volunteering, and to identify instruments, models, and schemes which validate and clearly identify the key competences that have been gained by volunteers. In order to reach the objectives, the following activities and results are foreseen:• to implement an e-platform with access to initiatives and learning information materials that have been identified and collected in the course of the project, especially concerning successful models and best practice concepts for the validation of key competences acquired during volunteering and systems of recognition of competences acquired through non-formal and informal learning; • to implement an online interactive forum for networking, exchange of experience and good practice that makes use of Skype’s real-time translation in 8 spoken and 50 written languages, thus breaking down language barriers between users from different countries, and supporting ideas, foster exchange and assist initiatives that contribute to the European society as a whole;• to summarize the findings in a “White Book for recognition of competences acquired through volunteering” that will give an overview about the current situation of the specific project environment in the partners’ countries, and present the initiatives, projects and materials with explanations in all languages of the partnership; • to develop an easily adaptable template (“Key Competences Template”) for volunteer organisations to identify competences of volunteers rather than describe volunteer work. This template will give employers meaningful information on competences of job applicants gained in voluntary work.Our target groups and beneficiaries• volunteers who need a meaningful document about their expertise for entering the paid employment market• organisations which work with volunteers and have to issue certificates on their activities• employers who want to learn what kind of expertise job applicants have gained in voluntary environments and tasksValCoVol will be implemented by an experienced partnership of six VET providers, non-profit organisations with a high number of volunteers, and organisations with access to employers’ associations and employment agencies. They comprise expertise and experiences from Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Italy and the Czech Republic.The methodology focuses on bringing together most relevant instruments on one platform and developing instruments for quick access in order to make the best use for volunteers of their gained knowledge in the application stage for paid jobs. Herewith ValCoVol follows experiences with the high number of volunteers working in refugee organisations at the time being: many of them left their jobs to support those organisations and will need meaningful proof of their newly gained qualification for future employment.Providing this, recognition could motivate volunteers to become either involved in additional learning activities or may also facilitate or improve their employability. Specifically, employers will appreciate a clear identification of key competences akquired in voluntary work as certificates are seldom meaningful enough. The longer term impact is in filling a gap for volunteers as well as employers who want to come together in a successful working relationship.