Micro-credentials and free online courses
Advance your skills to address global challenges: Take part in lifelong learning with CHARM-EU
CHARM-EU is committed to supporting lifelong learning and professional development for all learners. These high-quality, innovative micro-credentials and free online courses are delivered by CHARM-EU partners. Aligned with CHARM-EU educational principles they engage learners to address real-world challenges.
What is a micro-credential?
A micro-credential is the record of the learning outcomes that a learner has acquired following a small volume of learning. These learning outcomes have been assessed against transparent and clearly defined standards. Courses leading to micro-credentials are designed to provide the learner with specific knowledge, skills and competences that respond to societal, personal, cultural or labour market needs. In the context of this catalogue the majority of micro-credentials are paid courses.
What is a free online course?
Free online courses listed in this catalogue are generally for life long learning and targeted to the general public. There is no charge for these courses and anyone with an internet connection can access.
Innovative Teaching in Inter-Institutional Hybrid Classrooms
- Microcredential
- Åbo Akademi University, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Trinity College Dublin, Universiteit Utrecht
- Learn how to design and apply inter-institutional hybrid classroom curricula, learning activities, assessments, and best practices.
CHARM-EU educational principles:
- Situated Learning, Technology-enhanced, Transversal Skills
ESCO skills:
- Apply blended learning, e-learning, develop learning curriculum, intercultural communication methods
Closing date for applications:
- Register your interest: anna.granberg@abo.fi
Viruses transmited through Water and Food: Risks, Prevention and Control
- Microcredential
- Universitat de Barcelona
- Gain knowledge on managing waterborne and zoonotic viruses in the context of climate change, safeguarding public and animal health.
CHARM-EU educational principles:
- Situated Learning, Student-centered, Transdisciplinarity
ESCO skills:
- Foodborne diseases, Detect microorganisms, Virology
Closing date for applications:
- TBC
Natural Products: Harnessing Nature’s Resources for a Better World
- Free online course
- Trinity College Dublin
- Explore bioactive natural products, sustainable practices, and their role in the circular bioeconomy.
CHARM-EU educational principles:
- Research-based, Student-centered, Sustainability, Technology-enhanced
ESCO skills:
- Bioeconomy, Pharmacognosy, Circular economy
Closing date for applications:
- You can start the course at any time.
Inequality and Democracy
- Free online course
- Universiteit Utrecht
- Understand how and why economic inequality negatively affects democracy, through the use of theories in philosophy, economics, political science, and law.
CHARM-EU educational principles:
- Challenge-based, Technology-enhanced, Transversal Skills
ESCO skills:
- Promote the principles of democracy and rule of law, Apply knowledge of social sciences and humanities, Develop economic policies
Closing date for applications:
- 7 September and 2 November 2025
Cross-National Data: From Questionnaire Development to Analysis
- Microcredential
- Universiteit Utrecht
- Learn to design, assess, and analyze multi-national, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural surveys, addressing comparability and biases.
CHARM-EU educational principles:
- Inclusivity, Research-based, Transdisciplinarity, Transnational and intercultural learning
ESCO skills:
- Respect the diversity of cultural values and norms, Survey techniques, Conduct research across disciplines
Closing date for applications:
- 25 June 2025
Women’s Health After Motherhood (WHAM)
- Free online course
- Trinity College Dublin
- Learn to care for your physical and mental health post-birth and feel supported during the postpartum period.
CHARM-EU educational principles:
- Situated Learning, Student-centered, Sustainability, Technology-enhanced
ESCO skills:
- Postpartum period, Provide postnatal care, Promote mental health
Closing date for applications:
- You can start the course at any time.
Practical Frameworks for Innovation
- Microcredential
- Trinity College Dublin
- Learn creative problem-solving, design thinking, and systems thinking to apply innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
CHARM-EU educational principles:
- Challenge-based, Situated Learning, Student-centered, Sustainability, Technology-enhanced, Transversal Skills
ESCO skills:
- Think creatively, Design thinking, Innovation processes
Closing date for applications:
- 27th September 2025
The AI Revolution and the Organization of Work: Opportunities and Dilemmas
- Microcredential
- Universitat de Barcelona
- Explore how AI transforms work and employment, gaining knowledge to navigate challenges and opportunities in the workplace.
CHARM-EU educational principles:
- Inclusivity, Student-centered, Technology-enhanced, Transversal Skills
ESCO skills:
- Integrate and re-elaborate digital content, Machine learning, Principles of artificial intelligence
Closing date for applications:
- 30 Sept 2025
Paleoclimatology: Keys from the Geological Record to Contextualize Current Climate Change
- Microcredential
- Universitat de Barcelona
- The Paleoclimatology course offers an in-depth exploration of past climate changes to better understand today’s climate crisis, equipping participants with the tools to interpret paleoclimate records and counter climate denial with scientific evidence.
CHARM-EU educational principles:
- Research-based, Student-centered, Sustainability, Transdisciplinarity
ESCO skills:
- Palaeoclimatology, Determine historic climate changes, Climate change impact
Closing date for applications:
- TBC
Climate Leadership Development
- Microcredential
- Trinity College Dublin
- Build leadership for climate action through systems thinking, climate justice, policy, and behavior change strategies.
CHARM-EU educational principles:
- Challenge-based, Inclusivity, Research-based, Situated Learning, Student-centered, Sustainability, Technology-enhanced, Transdisciplinarity, Transnational and intercultural learning, Transversal Skills
ESCO skills:
- Climate change impact, Leadership principles, Systems theory
Closing date for applications:
- Sept/March each year
Identifying and Responding to Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Healthcare Practice
- Free online course
- Trinity College Dublin
- Explore new approaches to addiction treatment and build knowledge and leadership for effective response.
CHARM-EU educational principles:
- Inclusivity, Situated Learning, Sustainability, Technology-enhanced, Transdisciplinarity
ESCO skills:
- Assess clients' drug and alcohol addictions, Handle patient trauma, Develop therapeutic relationships
Closing date for applications:
- You can start the course at any time.
Understanding Justice and Fairness in Energy Transitions
- Free online course
- Universiteit Utrecht
- Learn methods to connect energy transitions with justice and build a strong foundation in this emerging field.
CHARM-EU educational principles:
- Challenge-based, Sustainability, Transdisciplinarity
ESCO skills:
- Promote sustainable energy, Social justice, Energy sector policies
Closing date for applications:
- 7 September and 2 November 2025
Improving Health Assessment for People with Intellectual Disability
- Free online course
- Trinity College Dublin
- Improve healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities in this course designed for healthcare professionals.
CHARM-EU educational principles:
- Inclusivity, Situated Learning, Sustainability, Technology-enhanced
ESCO skills:
- Assist patients with special needs, Undertake healthcare examination, Develop inclusive communication material
Closing date for applications:
- You can start the course at any time.
Assessment & Management of Frailty in Ageing Adults
- Microcredential
- Trinity College Dublin
- Gain skills to assess and manage frailty in ageing adults using geriatric assessment and tailored care across settings.
CHARM-EU educational principles:
- Research-based, Student-centered, Sustainability, Technology-enhanced, Transdisciplinarity, Transversal Skills
ESCO skills:
- Geriatrics, Apply context specific clinical competences, Manage chronic health conditions
Closing date for applications:
- 31 July 2025