Terms and Conditions EASEC Awards

EASEC·AWARDS
Terms and Conditions 2027 Edition · Applications open from 1 April 2026

By submitting an application to the EASEC Awards, participants confirm that they have read, understood, and agreed to comply with these Terms and Conditions.


1. Organising Entity

The EASEC Awards are organised and administered by:

EASEC EUROPEAN ACCREDITATION SL
Company incorporated under the laws of Spain.

EASEC is responsible for the administration and management of the awards programme, including the call for applications, the application process, evaluation procedures, recognition of finalists and winners, and communication of results.

EASEC reserves the right to update, modify, or clarify these Terms and Conditions at any time where necessary to ensure the correct functioning and integrity of the awards programme.


2. Purpose of the Awards

The EASEC Awards aim to recognise institutions, programmes, and professionals that demonstrate excellence in the development, assessment, and recognition of competencies and employability.

The awards seek to highlight impactful initiatives and promote best practices in areas such as:

  • Competency development
  • Employability and preparation for the labour market
  • Competency-based education
  • Development of transversal competencies and soft skills
  • Innovation in competency assessment and recognition
  • Initiatives connecting education with labour market needs
Important notice The EASEC Awards are designed as a recognition programme celebrating excellence and innovation. Participation in the awards does not constitute certification, accreditation, or formal endorsement beyond the recognition granted within the framework of the programme.

3. Who May Participate

The EASEC Awards are open to organisations and professionals worldwide who contribute to the advancement of competency development and employability. Applications may be institutional or individual.

Eligible organisations include, but are not limited to:

  • Schools and educational centres (secondary education, baccalaureate)
  • Universities and higher education institutions
  • Business schools and executive education providers
  • Vocational training centres and VET institutions
  • Educational centres with competency-based programmes
  • Corporate training organisations
  • Certification centres and public or private institutions working in competency development

Eligible individuals include, but are not limited to:

  • Directors of employability, quality, or academic programmes
  • Trainers, researchers, and consultants in the competencies field
  • Educational sector leaders focused on skills development
  • Entrepreneurs building solutions for skills and employability
  • Emerging professionals distinguished in the areas of learning, competencies, and employability

Relevant areas of participation include, but are not limited to: general training and skills development, employability, alumni engagement and outreach, educational innovation, academic and curricular design, and education-employer partnerships.

Application Integrity Applicants must ensure that all information provided during the application process is accurate, truthful, and complete. EASEC reserves the right to request additional documentation to verify the accuracy of the information submitted. Applications containing false, misleading, or unverifiable information may be disqualified.

4. Award Categories

The EASEC Awards recognise excellence across four categories. Each category applies a specific evaluation method and is open to the organisations or individuals indicated below.

Category 01

EASEC Ranking in Skills Development

This category identifies and ranks the institutions whose students demonstrate the highest levels of competency development, as measured through independent psychometric assessment.

Evaluation methodPsychometric assessment of a real student sample. Results are expressed in EQF levels and comparative percentiles among institutions of the same type.
Eligible applicantsUniversities and higher education institutions, business schools, schools and educational centres, vocational training centres.
Ranking structureInstitutions are ranked within their peer group (universities compete with universities; schools with schools). The top 10 in each group are published in the EASEC Ranking with their verified scores. Every participating institution receives a detailed results report regardless of ranking position.
Category 02

Best Employability Programme Award

This category recognises the programme that best prepares its participants for the real labour market, as evaluated against European and international competency frameworks.

Evaluation methodFull programme review. EASEC analyses the programme's design, objectives, methodology, and evidence of results against the ESCO, EQF, Tuning, and WEF Future of Jobs frameworks. A curricular alignment report with scoring is generated for every applicant.
Eligible applicantsHigher education institutions, vocational training centres, corporate training organisations.
Ranking structureThe top 10 programmes are published by institution type.
Category 03

Education-Employer Partnership Award

This category recognises institutions whose collaboration with employers produces measurable results in employability and professional insertion.

Evaluation methodProgramme review combined with employment data verification. EASEC assesses the depth of the partnership and its verifiable impact on employability, including employment rates, active agreements, and curricular co-design with employers.
Eligible applicantsUniversities and higher education institutions, business schools, vocational training centres, schools with dual VET programmes.
RecognitionWinners receive the EASEC «Market-Connected Institution» seal. The top 10 institutions are published in the ranking.
Category 04

Competency Leader of the Year

This category recognises the individual making the greatest contribution to advancing skills development and employability — whether within an organisation, an education system, or the broader sector.

Evaluation methodIndividual portfolio review. The applicant submits a portfolio with concrete evidence: projects, reach, publications, and measurable outcomes. The EASEC jury evaluates real impact, reach, and innovation.
Eligible applicantsDirectors, trainers, researchers, consultants, and entrepreneurs. Both established and emerging profiles are eligible — there is no minimum experience requirement.
RecognitionOne winner and up to three officially recognised finalists per edition.
Note on categories EASEC reserves the right to modify, merge, add, or remove categories where necessary to ensure the quality and integrity of the awards programme.

5. Application Process

Applicants must submit their applications through the official EASEC Awards application process within the deadlines established by the organisation. The application is completed entirely online and structured in five steps:

  • Step 1 — Profile: Indicate whether you are applying as an educational institution or as an individual professional.
  • Step 2 — Category: Select the category you are applying to. The evaluation method adapts automatically based on your selection.
  • Step 3 — Application: Complete the application form with institutional or personal data, a description of the initiative, and evidence of results.
  • Step 4 — Supporting documentation: Provide links to the evidence supporting your application (e.g. Google Drive or OneDrive with open viewing permissions).
  • Step 5 — Review and formalisation: Verify the data, apply your discount code if applicable, and formalise the process.

Applications must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines and deadlines provided by EASEC. Incomplete or late applications may not be considered. Participants may submit applications in one or more categories where appropriate.

Multiple Categories Applications to multiple categories are accepted and may benefit from package conditions. Contact [email protected] for details.

6. Participation Fees

Participation in the EASEC Awards involves an entry fee, depending on the applicant's status and the application period.

EASEC Clients

Institutions currently participating in EASEC programmes (including programme accreditation, certification centres, or EASEC partners) may apply to any category with preferential conditions. Contact [email protected] for details.

Non-Client Applicants

Early period 1 April – 30 June 30% discount
Institutional application €560 €800
Individual application €105 €150
Institutional: EASEC-EARLY-INST
Individual: EASEC-EARLY-IND
Standard period 1 July – 31 October 20% discount
Institutional application €640 €800
Individual application €120 €150
Institutional: EASEC-STANDARD-INST
Individual: EASEC-STANDARD-IND
Final period 1 November – 18 December
Institutional application €800
Individual application €150
No discounts apply during this period.
Payment conditions Discount codes must be applied correctly during the application process (Step 5: Review and formalisation). Discounts cannot be applied retroactively once payment has been completed. All fees must be paid in full at the time of application. All payments are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the evaluation process, including cases where the application is not shortlisted, selected, or awarded. Failure to make the required payment may result in the application not being considered for evaluation.

Key Dates — 2027 Edition

DateMilestone
1 April 2026Opening of the call for applications
30 June 2026Close of early period with 30% preferential conditions
31 October 2026Close of standard period with 20% preferential conditions
18 December 2026Final deadline for applications
January 2027Evaluation period by the international panel of experts
26 January 2027Awards ceremony in Valencia, Spain
Calendar adjustments EASEC reserves the right to adjust the calendar if necessary. Any changes will be communicated through EASEC's official channels.

7. Evaluation Methodology

All applications are assessed through a structured review process designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and consistency.

The specific evaluation method varies by category — from psychometric student assessments (Category 01) to programme audits against ESCO and EQF frameworks (Categories 02 and 03) to individual portfolio reviews (Category 04). See Section 4 for the evaluation method applicable to each category.

Across all categories, applications are evaluated on the following five dimensions:

DimensionDescription
StrategyAssessment of the clarity of objectives, alignment with institutional priorities, and relevance to competency development and employability.
ImplementationAssessment of the quality of programme design, implementation processes, and operational execution.
EvidenceAssessment of the data and indicators provided to demonstrate results and effectiveness.
InnovationAssessment of the originality, advancement, and innovation in approaches to competency development or recognition.
ImpactAssessment of measurable outcomes and tangible benefits for students, institutions, or organisations.

8. Evaluation Process

The evaluation process generally comprises the following stages:

StageDescription
Eligibility reviewVerification that applications meet the requirements of the relevant category.
Technical assessmentInitial review of applications based on the evaluation criteria.
Expert reviewAssessment by a panel of experts with relevant experience in education, employability, and competency development.
Final deliberationSelection of finalists and winners based on the results of the evaluation.
Finality of decisions The decisions of the evaluation panel are final and not subject to appeal.

9. Recognition Levels

Participants may receive different levels of recognition depending on the outcome of the evaluation.

Recognition by ranking position — Institutional categories (01, 02, 03)

PositionRecognition
1st placeTrophy + Verified Gold Badge
2nd placeVerified Silver Badge
3rd placeVerified Bronze Badge
Top 10Published in EASEC Ranking

Recognition by ranking position — Individual category (04)

PositionRecognition
WinnerTrophy + Verified Gold Badge
Up to 3 finalistsOfficially recognised
All participants

Base recognition

  • Feedback report from the evaluation panel with observations on the application
  • Documentation generated during the process, reusable for accreditations and institutional reports
  • Invitation to the in-person ceremony in Valencia, Spain (one representative per application)
Finalists

Finalist recognition

  • Inclusion in the category ranking
  • Profile published on easec.eu
  • Pre-written press release for institutional distribution
  • Diploma in physical and digital format
  • Social media templates with the awards visual identity
Winners

Winner recognition

  • Inclusion in the category ranking
  • Verifiable badge «EASEC Awards Winner 2027» for the institutional website
  • Trophy (positions 1st–3rd in institutional categories; winner in individual category)
  • Detailed profile published on easec.eu
  • Press release coverage
  • Full communications kit (press release, social media templates, certificate)
  • Invitation to participate as a guest on Skills Talks (EASEC audiovisual series)
Ceremony attendance Each application includes the attendance of one institutional representative at the symposium and awards ceremony. This does not include travel, accommodation, or flights. To accredit additional representatives, please contact our team at [email protected] to learn about the conditions.
Scope of recognition The recognition granted through the EASEC Awards does not constitute formal accreditation or certification beyond the context of the awards programme.

10. Communication and Publicity

By submitting an application, participants grant EASEC permission to:

  • Mention their participation in the awards programme
  • Publish the names of finalists and winners
  • Describe the initiatives submitted for communication purposes
  • Include participants in promotional or informational materials related to the awards

Participants confirm that they hold the necessary rights to share any material included in their applications.


11. Intellectual Property and Use of Materials

Applicants retain ownership of their intellectual property. However, by submitting an application, participants grant EASEC a non-exclusive right to use the descriptions, images, and materials submitted for communication and promotion purposes related to the awards programme.

Such use may include:

  • Publication on the website
  • Press releases
  • Reports or publications
  • Digital or social media communications

12. Confidentiality

EASEC will take reasonable steps to ensure that submitted materials are treated with confidentiality during the evaluation process. However, information contained in finalist or winning applications may be referenced publicly as part of the awards communications.

Recommendation Participants are advised to avoid submitting confidential or proprietary information that they would not wish to be disclosed publicly.

13. Limitation of Liability

EASEC shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages arising from participation in the awards programme. Participation in the awards does not create any contractual relationship beyond the provisions described in these Terms and Conditions.

EASEC reserves the right to modify, postpone, or cancel the awards programme if necessary due to circumstances beyond its control.


14. Acceptance of Terms

By submitting an application to the EASEC Awards, participants confirm that they:

  • Have read and understood these Terms and Conditions
  • Agree to comply with them
  • Confirm that the information provided is accurate and truthful
Disqualification Failure to comply with these Terms and Conditions may result in disqualification.

15. Applicable Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Spain. Any dispute arising from the interpretation or enforcement of these terms shall be submitted to the jurisdiction of the competent courts of Spain.


EASEC European Accreditation SL
C. de la Travesía, Poblados Marítimos, 46024 València, Valencia, Spain
[email protected]