Overview

The Reference Framework for Micro-credentials in Latin America and the Caribbean is a regional framework developed by the UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean to support greater consistency in the design, management, quality assurance, and recognition of microcredentials.

The framework establishes common principles and minimum standards that policymakers, higher education institutions, alternative education and training providers, quality-assurance bodies, and other stakeholders can use when developing policies and practices for microcredentials. It is intended as guidance that can be adapted to the different national education and regulatory systems across the region rather than as a single mandatory regulatory structure.

The framework was developed through research and extensive regional consultation involving more than 250 stakeholders.

In 2026, UNESCO began accompanying the framework with capacity-building activities, including an open course on microcredential design and quality.

Background

UNESCO began this work in response to rapidly growing use of microcredentials across Latin America and the Caribbean alongside significant differences in terminology, design, regulation, and quality assurance. A 2025 regional mapping study found that many countries remained at early stages of incorporating microcredentials into education policy, qualifications frameworks, and quality-assurance systems. Issues included a lack of common definitions and standards, limited information about provision and outcomes, skills mismatches, and growing demand for shorter and more flexible opportunities for upskilling and reskilling. Regional meetings in Montevideo, Uruguay, during 2025 brought together governments, providers, quality-assurance organizations, employers, students, and international organizations to discuss regulation, recognition, and quality.

A regional consultation on the draft framework followed in late 2025.

Partners

• UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean leads the initiative.
• Regional development activities have involved national education and quality-assurance authorities, higher education institutions, alternative providers, employer and student organizations, and international organizations.
• Development meetings in Uruguay received support from the Ministry of Education and Culture of Uruguay, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean at different stages of the consultation process.

Funders

Developed through the regional work of the UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Resources

Mapping Microcredentials in Latin America and the Caribbean: Toward a Common Framework — UNESCO

Reference Framework Regional Consultation — UNESCO

Reference Framework and Microcredentials Capacity-Building Course — UNESCO