About ICoBC
The International Council on Badges and Credentials e.V. (ICoBC) is an international association based in Berlin. We connect companies, education providers, governments, and associations to advance the recognition of learning through digital badges and credentials.
Our mission
Our mission is to foster a dynamic ecosystem that advances the recognition of informal, non-formal, and formal learning through digital badges and (micro-)credentials. We are dedicated to cultivating a world where diverse learning pathways are acknowledged, valued, and interconnected.
Our actions are guided by the principles of holistic understanding, inclusive collaboration, global awareness, and innovation support. Through methodical development, technological advancement, and organizational synergy, we strive to create a transformative impact on individuals, organizations, and societies.
ICoBC at a glance
| Legal name | International Council on Badges and Credentials e.V. |
|---|---|
| Short name | ICoBC |
| Legal form | Registered association under German law (eingetragener Verein, e.V.) |
| Register | Vereinsregister, Amtsgericht Berlin (Charlottenburg), VR 39358 |
| Seat | Leibnizstr. 32, 10625 Berlin, Germany |
| Board | Armin Hopp (President), Jan Mühlig (Vice-President), Rolf Reinhardt (Vice-President) |
| VAT ID | DE351582940 |
| Annual event | ICoBC Symposium in Berlin, held every year since 2021 |
| Quality standard | ICoBC Global Seal of Quality, based on the VRITE standard |
What we do
We work across standards, services, research, and community.
Set quality standards
The Global Seal of Quality assesses credentialing programs against Value, Rigor, Impact, Trustworthiness, and Experience (VRITE).
Advise organizations
Vendor-neutral consultancy for corporations, higher education, governments, and NGOs.
Measure impact
The impact assessment links accredited credentials to labour-market data.
Provide infrastructure
An Open Badges 3.0 server for issuing and verifying digital credentials.
Co-develop projects
Funded projects with our members on skilled migration, reskilling, and inclusion.
Convene the community
The annual ICoBC Symposium, reports, and working groups.
Governance
Our Executive Committee is composed of elected members of the association who have decision-making authority and responsibility for its overall direction and strategy.
Our Advisory Board is composed of external experts who advise the association on specific issues and provide feedback and recommendations on long-term plans and opportunities.
Our Quality Committee authored the ICoBC Taxonomy, Quality Criteria, and Quality Grid, the basis of our quality work.
Partnerships
We collaborate with non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations on particular clusters — for example with the World Health Organization on upskilling the global healthcare community. Our support ranges from consultancy on their academies’ credentials to their non-formal and formal recognition, nationally and internationally.
ICoBC is an official partner of eLearning Africa 2026.
Statutes
As an association under German law, our statutes (in German) are publicly available: ICoBC Satzung, version of 27 June 2024 (PDF).
Work with us
Become a member, apply for the Global Seal, or propose a joint project.