The changing role of NARICsThe last 15 years have seen extensive reforms and development in the European sphere of education, through the Bologna and Copenhagen Processes with a particular focus on introducing recognition tools and practices beyond the Lisbon Recognition Convention; including the on-going referencing of national qualification frameworks to the EQF; the on-going modernisation of the European Directive 2005/36/EC; and other initiatives impacting considerably on the context in which NARICs operate at a national and international level. The NARICs work and contributions evolved along the process but call into question the changing role of the network and the centres.In view of the above, we aim to enhance and develop a collective understanding and evaluation of the changing role of NARICs through a 2 year project encompassing the following activities:1. Stock-taking activities to identify policies, tools and initiatives which have impacted on the role and operation of NARICs2. Consultation and investigation into the implications of the identified developments for NARICs at a national and international level, considering the role of NARICs as defined in the existing Joint Charter which outlines the activities and services of recognition centres.3. Consideration of the role and positioning of NARICs in view of future developments relating to Europe 2020This will inform a position paper on the changing role of NARICs for the European Commission, the Council of Europe and UNESCO enabling the revision or tota! re-drafting of the Charter.The key target group is the NARIC network and Centres in close, but the impact will be far reaching. The NARIC network would benefit from greater clarity and consistency in the way in which their role is understood both within and outside of the network. It is envisaged however that the outcomes will, by extension, benefit recognition stakeholders in both the European Community and beyond, and feed into the Europe 2020 Strategy.