In the early 2000s, fragmented CV formats and limited transparency in qualifications made cross-border mobility difficult for learners and workers. Twenty years ago, the 2004 Europass Decision addressed these barriers by establishing a common framework to communicate skills when looking for jobs and training.
Launched in 2005, Europass was one of the first EU tools designed with citizens in mind. Its widely used CV, Diploma Supplement, and Certificate Supplement improved the comparability of learning outcomes and supported recognition and mobility across borders.
Cedefop’s legacy
From its early steps to its digital transformation, Cedefop has been Europass’s strategic architect, shaping one of the EU’s most recognisable skills mobility tools. Cedefop developed the early Europass documents, managed the first multilingual portal, coordinated National Europass Centre networks, and aligned the platform with crucial EU transparency frameworks—EQF, ESCO, and EURES.
“Cedefop’s long-standing support for Europass reflects our core mission: helping people and systems understand and value skills. Europass continues to embody that spirit at European scale” — Jürgen Siebel, Executive Director of Cedefop
After the Europass portal moved under the direct management of the European Commission in 2020, Cedefop has maintained its role as a trusted partner supporting developments in guidance, validation, digital credentials and the European Learning Model, as well as by co-developing guidelines for describing qualifications using short learning outcomes in cooperation with Member States and stakeholders.
Digital Transformation
The 2020 relaunch transformed Europass into a comprehensive digital platform offering personal e-profiles, secure verifiable digital credentials, integration with ESCO and EURES, and real-time labour market intelligence. As the official EQF portal, Europass now provides access to nationally published qualifications whilst facilitating digital credential sharing through the European Digital Credentials for Learning infrastructure.
This transformation has delivered remarkable results:
• 8.2 million total accounts with 1.5 million created annually
• 119 million platform visits overall
• 20 million visits per year on average
• 3.6 million CVs downloaded in the first half of 2025
• The majority of users are under age 30
• Strong uptake through Erasmus and mobility programmes
Recent Cedefop research highlights Europass’s role in increasing qualification transferability and fostering cross-system understanding, contributing to the European Skills Agenda and the Union of Skills initiative.
Looking Ahead
Twenty years on, Europass has evolved into a dynamic platform aligned with EU priorities on lifelong learning, inclusion, and the green and digital transitions. More than a CV builder, it’s a comprehensive ecosystem that strengthens Europe’s integrated labour market by enabling flexible pathways and better recognition.
As Cedefop celebrates its 50th anniversary, its commitment to valuing skills, increasing their visibility and mobility remains central to empowering Europeans to learn, work and grow with greater opportunity and recognition across a continent where skills and talent know no borders.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
