FREELANCER Project Concludes with the Release of Final Guidelines for VET Providers: Shaping the Future of Freelance Training in Europe
Results from pilot testing learners inform the project’s key recommendations and policy guidelines for self-employment training
The FREELANCER project, co-financed by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, has reached its final stage — marking the successful completion of an ambitious European initiative to strengthen freelance training, self-employment, and digital entrepreneurship across the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.
After two years of collaborative research, design, and testing, the consortium is proud to announce the publication of the project’s final deliverable:
Guidelines for VET Providers
These Guidelines, produced under Work Package 4 (WP4), consolidate the project’s lessons learned, results from the pilot phase, and concrete recommendations for the future of freelancer-oriented VET.
From Training to Policy Impact
The FREELANCER partnership piloted its training programme with 120 participants across Europe, assessing the usefulness, accessibility, and pedagogical relevance of the developed materials. The results provide invaluable feedback on how to enhance digital learning paths for freelancers and future entrepreneurs.
Drawing from this extensive testing process, the final Guidelines offer practical advice for:
- VET providers, to align curricula with the realities of self-employment and digital work.
- Policy stakeholders, to embed freelancer-focused learning within national and European skills agendas.
- Trainers and educators, to integrate digital, entrepreneurial, and managerial competences into flexible learning ecosystems.
The Guidelines also include potential improvements for the FREELANCER training programme itself, ensuring continuous quality enhancement and long-term usability for education providers across Europe.
A Resource for the Future of Self-Employment
The final publication represents the main outcome of the project — a reference framework to support skills development, employability, and innovation in the freelance economy. It not only reflects the voice of learners and trainers but also provides strategic insights for institutions and decision-makers shaping the VET landscape.
Together with the FREELANCER Digital Platform, which hosts the mapping reports, training materials, and glossary of key concepts, these Guidelines form the project’s lasting legacy: a comprehensive, multilingual, open-access resource for fostering entrepreneurship, adaptability, and lifelong learning in Europe.
Access the full Guidelines and all project results here:
www.freelancer-training.eu
