Greenversity
Pathway

Implementation & Accreditation Protocol 

Standardising Sustainability Competences in European Higher Education

The GREENVERSITY Pathway Protocol is designed to operationalise the European Green Competence Framework (GreenComp) within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

While the GREENVERSITY Framework defines what competences students must acquire, the PATHWAY provides university leaders, degree coordinators and accreditation bodies (such as partner AVAP) with the standardised administrative mechanisms required to embed, assess and formally accredit these competences into university degree programs across Europe.

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Step 1

Curriculum Mapping

Map at least 8 of 12 GreenComp competences into core modules.

Step 2

Interdisciplinary Evaluation

Assess each chosen competence across 2 distinct subjects.

Step 3

Traffic-Light Assessment

Evaluate Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes

Step 4

Quality Assurance & Green Stamp

Achieve at least 16 out of 32 points for European Diploma Supplement recognition.

Green Stamp Requirements Calculator

MINIMUM PASSING SCORE

16/32 pts

MAX ALLOWED RED LIGHTS

3 Red Lights

MINIMUM PASSING SCORE

18/36 pts

MAX ALLOWED RED LIGHTS

4 Red Lights

MINIMUM PASSING SCORE

20/40 pts

MAX ALLOWED RED LIGHTS

4 Red Lights

MINIMUM PASSING SCORE

22/44 pts

MAX ALLOWED RED LIGHTS

5 Red Lights

MINIMUM PASSING SCORE

24/48 pts

MAX ALLOWED RED LIGHTS

5 Red Lights

Initial verification & design of new study plans.

  • Curriculum Design & Competence Mapping: Ensures that newly proposed Bachelor’s degree programs formally embed at least 8 of the 12 GREENVERSITY/GreenComp competences across a minimum of 4 areas prior to programme launch.

  • Distribution & Assessment Criteria: Verifies that each selected competence is systematically mapped across at least 2 distinct subjects to guarantee interdisciplinary delivery.

  • Ex-Ante Institutional Approval: Serves as the primary accreditation toolkit for university deans and national QA agencies to grant initial approval for green-accredited degree tracks.

Periodic re-accreditation & evaluation of ongoing degrees.

  • Evaluating Delivery & Student Learning Outcomes: Assesses implemented study plans against student evaluation results, course artefacts and Traffic-Light rubric scoring collected over the academic cycle.

  • Diploma Supplement & Green Stamp Awarding: Verifies that graduating students have met the mandatory passing thresholds (e.g., minimum 16/32 or 24/48 points with a maximum of 3 red lights) to officially receive the Green Stamp credential.

  • Continuous Quality Improvement: Provides external quality assurance bodies (such as AVAP) and university leadership with data-driven feedback to update degree structures and ensure long-term sustainability alignment.

National Regulatory Frameworks

Aligning GREENVERSITY with National Higher Education Regulations

The GREENVERSITY Pathway Protocol is designed for seamless adaptation into national quality assurance mechanisms across European Higher Education Systems. By mapping sustainability competences into existing ex-ante verification and ex-post evaluation frameworks, the protocol provides national accreditation bodies with legal, administrative and evaluative pathways to grant formal recognition.

Spain

Spain (AVAP & ANECA Alignment)

  • Agencies Involved: Agència Valenciana d’Avaluació i Prospectiva (AVAP) & ANECA

  • Framework Mapping: Aligns with Spanish Royal Decree 822/2021 guidelines for incorporating cross-cutting sustainability competences into official Bachelor’s and Master’s degree structures.

  • Accreditation Mechanism: Integrates directly into ex-ante degree verification protocols and internal quality assurance systems (SGIC) across Spanish universities.

Finland

Finland (FINEEC / Karvi Alignment)

  • Agency Involved: Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC / Karvi)

  • Framework Mapping: Supports Finland’s national higher education strategy for sustainable development and institutional audit frameworks.

  • Accreditation Mechanism: Leverages institutional autonomy by embedding GREENVERSITY evaluation rubrics into university-level continuous quality enhancement cycles.

France

France (HCERES Alignment)

  • Agency Involved: Haut Conseil de l’évaluation de la recherche et de l’enseignement supérieur (HCERES)

  • Framework Mapping: Aligns with French national requirements for integrating ecological transition and social responsibility (TDDRS) into higher education curricula.

  • Accreditation Mechanism: Formally structures evidence required during periodic HCERES institutional and program evaluations.

Romania

Romania (ARACIS Alignment)

  • Agency Involved: Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ARACIS)

  • Framework Mapping: Complies with national standards for updating study program specifications to reflect European GreenComp guidelines.

  • Accreditation Mechanism: Facilitates the formal inclusion of green competence learning outcomes in study program files submitted for ARACIS accreditation.

Ireland

Ireland (QQI Alignment)

  • Agency Involved: Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)

  • Framework Mapping: Aligns with Ireland’s National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD to 2030) for higher education.

  • Accreditation Mechanism: Establishes clear assessment rubrics for QQI program validation and institutional quality reviews.

Portugal

Portugal (A3ES Alignment)

  • Agency Involved: Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES)

  • Framework Mapping: Aligns with Portuguese quality indicators for curriculum modernization and European qualification framework integration.

  • Accreditation Mechanism: Directly supports A3ES self-assessment reports (RAR) for degree accreditation cycles.