The European Learning Model (ELM) is a multilingual data model providing a single vocabulary for the description of learning in Europe. It is the base for sharing information on qualifications and learning opportunities in a standardised manner, as well as for issuing European Digital Credentials for Learning (EDC). 

To support the understanding of the ELM, updated mapping tables and schematic diagrammes are now available on code.europa and on the Publications Office website to help visualise how the data is structured in the model.  

Latest ELM updates 

While the ELM v3 will continue to enjoy long-term support from the European Commission, several minor improvements have taken place in 2025, resulting in ELM v3.3 – including many requested improvements to the data model and supporting documentation  

The joint project group of National Europass Centres and Erasmus+ National Agencies revised the Europass Mobility template. In line with this work, the ELM has now been extended to fully support the issuance of Europass mobility documents (for learning periods abroad, apprenticeships, etc.) in EDC format. The next steps will be to ensure that mobility documents can be created in the EDC infrastructure.  

The ELM team is also planning to publish an updated mapping of the Diploma Supplement, facilitating the creation and issuance of these documents as EDCs.  

A similar ongoing exercise is mapping ELM with education-related use cases from the Once Only Technical System (OOTS), that implements the Single Digital Gateway Regulation. This work will ensure that data, and documents sent over OOTS, such as degrees and Diploma Supplements, are aligned with ELM, and can be seamlessly exchanged as part of cross-border administrative procedures. 

The ELM upgrades  also respond to implementers’ needs by introducing a new property that offers implementers control mechanisms when listing and ordering credential content items. This could be applied, for example, to arranging subject titles on a transcript of records or a Diploma Supplement in alphabetical, chronological or thematic order, to improve the clarity of the document. 

ELM 3.3  also introduced Montenegrin as a new language in the Controlled Lists in the Common European Skills Data Space business collection, maintained by DG EMPL on the Publications Office portal. This update will enable the use of the Online Credential Builder and provide access to all controlled vocabularies in Montenegrin. The inclusion of Montenegrin will enhance interoperability within the EU framework while supporting greater inclusivity and fostering closer alignment with Europass countries. 

To facilitate these ongoing developments of the model, the versioning strategy for ELM has also been enhanced. Each version is now published under standardised addresses and made accessible through the EU Publications Office, which also provides access to all previous model versions. By default, the ELM Browser displays the latest version, while also offering the option to explore earlier versions for reference. 

The introduction of the versioning strategy entails an update of namespace information in data published to the QDR and included in EDCs. Further information on the exact changes necessary will be communicated directly to impacted users closer to the deployment date. EDC implementers will not be impacted by these changes. 

Following implementer requests, in addition to the current RDF SHACL files, the ELM has now also been made available in json schema in the Publication Office. Currently, the json schema is only available for the EDC application profile, as the requests have centered around this use case.  

In addition, the Publication Office now also contains additional documentation for the ELM in the form of navigable visual diagrams. This is currently available for the EDC application profile, but the other ELM application profiles will follow in the course of 2025, allowing for an easier navigation and understanding of the data model. 

Stay up to date  

A specific webinar detailing these changes, and providing additional details on the developments, was organised in May 2025. You can view the webinar recording on Youtube.  

To make sure that you stay up to date with the latest ELM developments we invite you to join the Futurium Group for the European Learning Model, a platform designed to foster collaboration and share experiences and good practices among stakeholders and implementers. This initiative aims to support the continuous improvement and adoption of the ELM and its applications. The Futurium group also includes an ‘Additional Materials’ section where you can find training materials on ELM and EDC. 

Want to learn more about the ELM? 

You can watch the recording of a ‘Basics of the European Learning Model’ webinar. This online event provided the opportunity to reflect on the core benefits and uses of the ELM.  

You can familiarise yourself with the ELM by browsing it in 29 languages via the ELM Browser. You can also access a short presentation video of the ELM Browser in its launch article on Europass. 

We also invite you to read our introduction to the ELM, and watch our short ELM training!