Open Badges

What are Open Badges?

Open Badges are digital certificates that recognise your learning, achievements, and skills. Unlike traditional certificates, they are flexible, visual, and easy to share online.

Each badge contains detailed information about what you did to earn it — including the skills you developed, the criteria you met, and the organisation that issued it. This makes your learning visible and meaningful, whether it happens in a classroom, a workshop, or through real-life experiences.


Why are Open Badges useful for you?

Open Badges help you make your learning journey visible and valuable.

With Open Badges, you can:

  • Showcase your skills and experiences in a clear and credible way
  • Build a personal portfolio that grows with you
  • Share your achievements on social media, CVs, or job platforms
  • Gain recognition for both formal and non-formal learning
  • Track your progress and stay motivated


Open Badges in the KVAK platform

In the KVAK platform, every course you complete can lead to a digital certification in the form of an Open Badge.

These badges are issued through the Cities of Learning platform, which means:

  • Your achievements are officially recognised and stored in your profile
  • You can easily access, manage, and share your badges
  • Your learning progress becomes part of a wider ecosystem of opportunities

To make sure you receive your badges, it’s important to:

  • Visit the Cities of Learning platform
  • Register your account
  • Complete and update your profile

Once your profile is set up, you’re ready to start the courses and earn your badges!


What are Cities of Learning?

Cities of Learning is a digital platform that connect learning opportunities within a city or community. They bring together organisations, youth workers, educators, and learners in one shared ecosystem.

Through Cities of Learning, you can:

  • Discover activities, events, and programmes happening around you
  • Participate in meaningful learning experiences
  • Earn Open Badges for your participation and achievements
  • Connect with a wider community of learners and organisations

The goal is to make learning more accessible, visible, and connected to real life — turning your city into a living classroom.


How to register and set up your profile

Getting started is simple! Follow these steps to create your account:

  1. Go to the main page and click “Sign up” in the header.
  2. You will be redirected to the Badgecraft/Awero registration page.
  3. Enter your email address — this will be your main account for login and notifications.
  4. Agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy to continue.
  5. Choose how you want to log in:
    1. password (recommended)
    2. Google account
    3. Facebook account
  6. If you choose email login, check your inbox and confirm your email address.
  7. If you use Google or Facebook, follow the standard login steps.

Once registered, it is important to update your profile, especially your name, so your badges are correctly issued to you.

You can also personalise your profile by:

  • Adding a profile picture
  • Changing your preferred language
  • Updating your personal information and interests

Your profile is also where you will find your badge wallet — the place where all the badges you earn are stored. From there, you can view, manage, and share your achievements.

Start exploring, learning, and earning badges — your journey is just beginning!