Let’s Build the Future of Skills, Together.
Do you have a groundbreaking idea to solve a major societal challenge? ICoBC partners with its members to co-develop and secure major funding for projects that leverage digital credentials to build a more skilled, inclusive, and mobile global workforce. We specialize in transforming visionary concepts into funded, impactful realities that reshape how the world recognizes learning and talent.
Explore Our Project Focus AreasFrom Global Challenges to Funded Solutions
The world faces critical workforce challenges: persistent skilled labor shortages that stifle economic growth, the urgent need for a mass reskilling toward a green economy, and the moral and economic imperative to integrate migrant talent. Traditional qualifications, often slow to adapt and difficult to compare across borders, are no longer sufficient to meet these demands. The solution lies in a trusted, portable, and digital way of recognizing skills that is transparent for learners, employers, and governments alike.
This is precisely where major funding bodies—from national ministries of education and labor to transnational entities like the European Commission—are directing their attention. They are actively seeking innovative, scalable projects that can build the skills infrastructure of tomorrow. They want systemic, data-driven solutions, not isolated pilots. With our deep expertise and expansive network, ICoBC and our members are uniquely positioned to design and lead these transformative initiatives.
Why Partner with ICoBC on Your Funding Proposal?
A successful funding application requires more than just a compelling idea. It demands unimpeachable credibility, a methodologically sound approach, and a network of world-class experts who can execute and amplify the results. When you partner with ICoBC, you embed this complete value chain directly into your proposal, dramatically increasing your chances of securing the funds you need to make a difference.
Credibility & Trust
As the home of the “Global Quality Standard”, our name lends immediate authority to your project’s quality assurance framework. We provide the internationally recognized standards that de-risk the project for funders, assuring them that the outcomes will be robust, valid, and built on global best practices.
Global Network & Dissemination
Your project gains access to our global network of experts, policymakers, and industry leaders. We open doors to key dissemination channels at flagship events like OEB Global and eLearning Africa, ensuring your results don’t just sit in a report but create a lasting impact and contribute to a global dialogue.
Deep Technical & Strategic Expertise
We bring unparalleled expertise in skills taxonomies, verifiable credentials, data spaces for skills, and the technical architecture required for scalable, interoperable solutions. We help you design a project that works in theory *and* in practice, avoiding common pitfalls and ensuring your solution is both innovative and implementable.
Our Project Focus Areas
We are actively seeking partners for projects in the following high-impact areas. If your vision aligns with one of these themes, we possess the experience and network to help you bring it to life.
Projects focused on recognizing the prior learning and skills of migrants, refugees, and international talent to fill critical labor gaps. This includes developing digital “skills passports” for regulated professions, creating AI-driven tools to validate non-formal learning from diverse cultural contexts, and building trusted digital identity frameworks that empower individuals while ensuring security.
Initiatives designed to rapidly upskill and reskill the workforce for high-demand sectors, particularly the green and digital transitions. This could involve developing EU-wide micro-credential ecosystems for circular economy jobs, building AI-powered career navigation tools that map existing skills to future roles, or creating credentialing frameworks for emerging technologies.
Projects that use digital credentials to create more accessible and equitable pathways to education and employment for underserved communities. We are especially interested in projects that promote social inclusion by validating skills gained through non-traditional means, such as caregiving, volunteering, or informal apprenticeships, making invisible skills visible and valuable.
A Clear Path from Idea to Impact
Initial Proposal
You submit a concise project idea using our structured template. This allows us to quickly understand your vision.
Strategic Fit Assessment
The ICoBC Executive Committee reviews your proposal for alignment with our mission and expertise (2-3 weeks).
Co-Development Workshop
If there’s a match, we hold a joint workshop to refine the project scope, methodology, budget, and roles.
Joint Application
We combine our strengths to write and submit a world-class funding application, positioning it for success.
Submit Your Project Idea
Are you an organizational member of ICoBC with a transformative project idea that could change the landscape of skills recognition? We invite you to begin the collaborative process by providing us with some initial details. Our committee will carefully review your submission and contact you to schedule a discovery call if there is a strong strategic alignment.
Key Requirements for Collaboration:
- Your organization must be an active SME, Corporate, or Institutional Member of ICoBC.
- The project must address a clear societal or economic challenge.
- The project must have a digital credential or skills-based component at its core.
- You must have a potential funding body or program in mind.
- Your organization must be prepared to commit dedicated personnel to the application and project execution.