Realizing Sustainable Impact
The 6th ICoBC Symposium, themed “Realizing Sustainable Impact”, aims to address the critical need for recognizing and validating skills and experiences across borders in our increasingly interconnected world. Taking place once again in Berlin, this landmark event serves as the premier global stage for the future of credentialing.
Building on the themes of previous symposiums—“From Theory to Practice,” “The Journey of the Champions,” “Connecting the Dots,” “Ensuring Equal Inclusion”, and “Building Global Capabilities“, this year’s event takes a decisive leap forward. We will explore how digital credentials, micro-credentials, open badges, skill inventories, and digital wallets can transcend physical borders to create lasting, scalable, and systemic value.
The New Era of Digital Identity and Sovereignty
In 2026, the landscape of global mobility and trust is shifting rapidly. To realize truly sustainable impact, this symposium places a sharp focus on the intersection of digital credentials, digital identity, and Digital Sovereignty. As individuals demand greater control over their personal data, we will delve into the implementation of the EUDI (European Digital Identity) Wallet under the updated eIDAS framework.
Participants will explore how these robust regulatory standards are shaping a future where citizens can securely store, manage, and share their educational and professional achievements seamlessly, without sacrificing privacy or ownership.
Establishing Mutual Trust: Quality Seals & Accreditation
To build a truly borderless workforce, credentials must not only be digital; they must be trusted. A major highlight of the 2026 Symposium is the introduction of:
- The Global Quality Seal: A landmark initiative designed to benchmark and guarantee the integrity, currency, and value of digital credentials worldwide.
- The Accreditation of Issuers: A standardized framework to verify the credibility of organizations issuing credentials, fostering mutual trust between educators, employers, and governments globally.
Driving Sustainable Impact at Scale
Realizing a vision of global capability-building requires more than innovative technology: it demands powerful collaboration. The symposium will showcase ICoBC’s strategic partnership models. These co-designed frameworks are vital to bringing together public institutions, private enterprises, and international networks to scale digital credentialing ecosystems sustainably and equitably.
Throughout the day, participants will engage in dynamic sessions and collaborative workshops designed to inspire action. By focusing on real-world case studies, policy alignments, and practical toolkits, the event aims to equip attendees with the knowledge to drive meaningful, systemic change within their own regions.
“As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, ‘Realizing Sustainable Impact’ serves as a powerful call to action. By aligning on digital sovereignty, establishing mutual trust, and championing collaborative partnership models, we are not just predicting the future of work: we are actively building a fairer, more inclusive world where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.”
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Partners, sponsors and supporters:
Become a sponsor for the 6th ICoBC Symposium 2026
Organizations that are working in this field have a unique opportunity to showcase their commitment to ensuring equal inclusion and supporting learners from all backgrounds. Sponsorship opportunities are available for those who want to demonstrate their leadership and contribute to the ongoing conversation around digital badges and verifiable micro-credentials.
Previous sponsors and supporters include Accenture, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Speexx, Lightcast / Emsi Burning Glass, Dataport, and relevantive. As a sponsors, you gain the following benefits:
- 2 complimentary registrations at the Symposium
- Hyperlink with company name and logo on the official 2025 Symposium web page
- Company name on promotional emails
- Logo/listing in the ICoBC onsite program as an official sponsor
- Logo displayed on banner at event entrance
- Logo displayed in video recordings
If you want to become a sponsor of the 2025 Symposium, please send us an email.
Participants of previous Symposiums
Organisations:
Access Microfinance Holding AG, AccessHolding, America Succeeds, ASIA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION, Atlantic Technological University, Australian Catholic University, Badge Europe, Bayer, Bildungsplattform der WKO GmbH, Bloom Foundation, BMBF, Bookt, Brigham Young University, CanCred by Learning Agents, Certif-ID International OHG, CGFNS International, Concentric Sky / Badgr, Credential Engine, Credivera, CredShare, DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), Digitary, Education Design Lab, Education in Motion, E-duProof UG, eLearning Africa, Emsi Burning Glass, Essential Skills Program, Fachhochschule Münster, FAO, Forever Day One (4ed1 GmbH), Gear Up, George Washington University, German Testing Board e.V., Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), ZDH, Hochschulforum Digitalisierung, Humanitarian Leadership Academy, ICDE, ICoBC, imc AG, Institute of Technology Sligo, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Jumia, kcg.edu, Knapp & Associates Int’l, Lightcast, LinkedIn, Microsoft, NAEC, Open University UK, Proctorio GmbH, RANDA Solutions, Regione Emilia-Romanga, relevantive GmbH, Seneca College, Speexx, SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences, Stifterverband, Studieorganisasjon Folkeuniversitetet, T3 Innovation Network, Technical University of Applied Sciences Lübeck, Technische Universität Berlin, The Open University, TU Berlin, TÜV Rheinland International GmbH, University of Huddersfield, University of Kentucky, University of Maine System, UNSSC, VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH, Visions, Western Governors University, World Bank
Job Titles:
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation in Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials, Assistant Professor, CEO, CGO, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Co-Founder, Consultant, CTO, Dean, Director, Director Business Development, Director Strategic Partnerships, Director UK Higher Education, Director, Digital Credentials Research & Innovation, Education Designer, Micro-Credentialing, Education Futures Architect, Employment Counselor, Entrepeneur, Founder, Geschäftsführer / Managing Director, Global Head PersCertification, Head of Issuing Authorities, Head of Marketing, Head of Online Learning Innovation, Head of Online learning Student Experience, Head of Platform & Blockchain Development, Head of Product, Instructor, Lead Engineer, Learning Specialist, Manager, Digital Authentication, Managing Director, Network Facilitator/Senior Scholar, Partnerships & Projects, PM, Policy Advisor, President, Product Manager Verifiable Credentials, Professor, Professor, Dr., project coordinator, Project Lead, Project Manager, Provost, Research Professor and co-director, PSCWP, Researcher and project manager, Sales consultant, Senior Account Director, Senior Desk Officer Digital Credentials, Senior Director, Senior Project Manager, Sr. Director, Sr. Staff Development and Learning Assistant, Team Leader Testing, Teamleader, Vice President of Partnerships, VP, Workforce Intelligence & Credential Integrity