NGO/CSO Recognition is EAHEA’s partnership program for legally established non-profit organizations. It is set out in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that is valid for five years, the recognized organization is listed in the Recognized Institutions directory, and the program is completely free of charge. It is a partnership between peer organizations, and it is not accreditation, certification or membership.
Foundations, associations and other civil society organizations often work toward the same aims as an education association: quality learning, lifelong learning and public benefit. This guide explains what the program is, who may apply, what to prepare, how the steps run, what the MoU covers and where the limits are. It follows the published information of the European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA).
What the Program Is
A formal partnership between EAHEA and a non-profit organization. The two sign an MoU, and the organization is then listed in the public Recognized Institutions directory. EAHEA does not evaluate or approve the programs of the recognized organization, and the recognition does not give the rights of an accredited institution or a member.
Who May Apply
Legally established non-profit foundations, associations, agencies, institutions and other civil society organizations that are registered with the competent authority of their country. One further condition matters: the organization must not be a potential EAHEA customer. It should not offer education or training that EAHEA could accredit, certify or validate, and it should not be looking for an EAHEA service for itself, its programs or its staff. The application form asks the applicant to confirm both points.
Who Should Choose Another Route
Educational institutions, training providers, companies and individuals that need accreditation, certification, validation or membership should apply for the relevant EAHEA service instead. A non-profit that runs courses and wants them reviewed belongs in that group, because the course is the kind of thing EAHEA can accredit. See choosing between Full, Online, Program and Course Accreditation.
Documents to Prepare
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Registration document | Issued by the competent authority of the country |
| Passport or ID | A copy for the authorized signatory or director |
| Invoice to the legal address | For example a utility or telephone bill issued to the organization’s legal address |
Accepted formats are PDF, JPG, PNG, DOC and DOCX, up to 8 MB each. The name and address on the three documents should match the details in the form.
The Steps
- Complete the online application.
- Upload the three documents.
- EAHEA reviews the application.
- Both parties sign the MoU.
- The organization is listed in the Recognized Institutions directory.
The published page does not give a review time or detailed review criteria, so an organization with a deadline should ask the Secretariat first.
What the MoU Covers
- Reciprocal recognition of each party’s accreditation processes, certifications and quality standards, based on prior assessment and explicit agreement.
- Joint award arrangements.
- Cross-promotion of each other’s work and events.
- Joint campaigns on quality education and lifelong learning.
- Co-branded publications and materials.
- Strategic partnerships with other stakeholders.
These are areas of cooperation. Each activity still needs the agreement of both parties.
Term, Renewal and Termination
The MoU takes effect for five years from the date of the last signature. Six months before it expires, the representatives begin a joint evaluation, and the MoU may then be renewed for another five years. Either party may ask to end it by written notice 90 days before the proposed date, and activities already in progress can be completed as planned.
Cost
The program is completely free of charge: there is no application, review, recognition or renewal fee, and the directory listing is free.
Limits
- It is not accreditation, certification or membership, and it does not confer their rights.
- EAHEA does not evaluate or approve the recognized organization’s programs.
- EAHEA cannot serve organizations located in, or acting for, high-risk or prohibited countries, or sanctioned parties. It may refuse or end a recognition on this basis and may ask for more information about the organization, its leaders and its funding.
- A listing is not a quality claim about the organization’s courses. Learners who want to check a program should look at the accredited institutions directory instead.
See also public directory listings: why being verifiable matters. Visit the application site or contact the Secretariat.
Frequently Asked Questions
EAHEA’s partnership program for legally established non-profit organizations, formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding and shown in the Recognized Institutions directory.
No. It is not accreditation, certification or membership, and EAHEA does not evaluate the organization’s programs.
No. The program is completely free of charge, including the review, recognition, renewal and directory listing.
A registration document from the competent authority, a copy of the passport or ID of the authorized signatory or director and an invoice issued to the legal address.
Five years from the last signature, with a joint evaluation six months before expiry and a possible renewal for five more years.
Not if the training is something EAHEA could accredit, certify or validate. Such organizations should apply for the relevant service.