Micro-Credential Ecosystem for Digital Circular Economy: The 3D-CIRCULAR Approach
Authors: Vayona, A., Basdekis, I., Alexaki, S.
Journal: Proceedings 2026 22nd International Conference on Distributed Computing in Smart Systems and the Internet of Things Dcoss Iot 2026
Publication Date: 01/01/2026
Pages: 916-922
DOI: 10.1109/DCOSS-IoT69657.2026.00143
Abstract:Europe faces a dual skills gap at the intersection of digital technologies and circular economy practices, threatening its twin green and digital transitions. While the European Commission has advanced policies such as the EU Green Deal, the Digital Europe Programme, and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, the workforce lacks the advanced competences needed to implement these strategies effectively. This paper presents the design and architecture of the 3D-CIRCULAR (Digital Deep Tech Driven Circular Economy) micro-credential ecosystem: a pan-European educational framework developed by a consortium of 32 organisations across 14 EU Member States and associated countries. Drawing on design science research methodology, we describe the systematic approach to: (i) identifying the digital circular economy skills gap through a multi-stakeholder needs assessment; (ii) developing a modular, tiered curriculum architecture encompassing 15 course areas organised into common, discipline-specific, and elective tracks; (iii) designing a three-level (elementary, intermediate, expert) micro-credential certification framework aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the 2022 EU Council Recommendation on micro-credentials; and (iv) deploying a pan-European blended learning campus infrastructure to support delivery across multiple geographical locations. The paper contributes to the literature on micro-credentials in higher education by offering an empirically grounded, replicable model for designing cross-border, multi-institutional micro-credential ecosystems that bridge the digital and green skills divide. We discuss the governance structures, quality assurance mechanisms, and sustainability strategies that underpin the ecosystem, and reflect on the implications for European higher education policy and practice.
Source: Scopus