In 2020, the Polish Evaluation Society commenced a new initiative aiming to develop the certification process of the evaluator profession in Poland. This initiative is a part of the European Union-funded project called „Implementing systemic solutions to support the development of Poland’s labour market” that has been implementing since 2016 by the Educational Research Institute (IBE).

One of the crucial element of this project is establishing a legal framework constituting the basis for including numerous descriptions of various qualifications into the Integrated Qualifications System (IQS). According to the regulations of the Act of 22nd December 2015 on the Integrated Qualifications System[1], including descriptions of qualifications into the Register of Integrated Qualifications requires special preparation by relevant companies, sectoral societies/associations, crafts chambers, and other entities representing professionals of a given industry.

The process of developing the certification system consists of four stages. During the first one, a draft of the Description of Evaluator’s Qualification(DEQ) was elaborated. This phase was conducted by nine experts representing various sectors and entities (scientific and academic communities, public administration including National Evaluation Unit, research and consulting companies, non-governmental organizations enclosing national VOPE[2], and independent evaluators/freelancers).

[1] This Act organizes the qualification system in Poland and enables market entities to adapt in a flexible way to the shifting demand for qualifications. This legal solution equalizes the requirements of the non-formal education sector with qualifications attained through the formal education system.

[2] Voluntary Organization for Professional Evaluation.