ECA

The network of the European Consortium for Accreditation in higher education (ECA) consists of the accreditation organisations from eleven European countries and regions. ECA has been founded in 2003 with the primary aim of mutual recognition of accreditation decisions. Twelve mutual recognition agreements between ECA members were signed in 2007. ECA was renewed in 2008. The ENIC/ NARICs of ECA member countries have been involved in the project in order to strengthen the link between accreditation decisions and recognition of qualifications.

Since 2008 NVAO is providing the ECA Secretariat. NVAO participates in every plenary ECA Workshop (twice a year) and plays an active role in the four working groups of ECA, chairing two of them.  NVAO chairman Karl Dittrich is the vice chairman of ECA. 

To contribute to achieving its aims ECA is continuosly carrying out projects within the fields of QA and recognition of qualifications. ECA is currently carrying out the projects; JOQAR and E-TRAIN.
Other recent projects of ECA are the TEAM projects. Qrossroads, the online European information tool for students, recognition bodies, higher education institutions and employers is also a ECA project.