Definition

• Formal recognition: process of granting official status to knowledge, skills and competences either through:
  
  
  • validation of non-formal and informal learning;
  • grant of equivalence, credit units or waivers;
  • award of qualifications (certificates, diploma or titles).
    

and/or

Social recognition: acknowledgement of value of knowledge, skills and/or competences by economic and social stakeholders.

Source: Cedefop (2014) "Terminology of European education and training policy: A selection of 130 key terms"