On January 29, 2025, VISTRA (Vechta Institute of Sustainability Transformation in Rural Areas) hosted an event focusing on the future of rural areas and the changes needed for sustainability and invited the VISKI project to come along and join the World Café. Having a tool that better recognizes informal and non-formal learning is especially important for rural areas, where many people gain skills outside of traditional education systems and synergy effects of larger metropolitan areas are missing.
What VISKIO Actually Does
VISKIO aims to make cross-cutting competences visible that are gained through a challenge-based approach. VISKIO - visible skills portfolio - is an online portal where you can showcase your skills, develop your interests, and document your informally acquired capabilities. You build up a portfolio that is validated by experts and your peer group and shows your abilities beyond formal certificates.
The embedded VISKIO Starter Kit helps you use the digital portal and provides resources for competence development. It supports entrepreneurial thinking and the digital implementation of learning processes. The kit is designed for learners and educators who want to integrate these skills into teaching or adapt them to their needs.
Why is VISKIO so Important for Rural Areas?
Rural regions need fresh ideas and need to recognize the diverse skills of their people. VISKIO can help by:
• Strengthening Self-Initiative: VISKIO encourages people in rural areas to use their skills and knowledge confidently.
• Promoting Innovation: The project supports the development of skills in digitalization and sustainability, which are crucial for the future of rural areas.
• Creating Networks: VISKIO connects learners, educators, and other organisations to facilitate the exchange of ideas and brings different actors closer together.
VISKIO as Part of the VISTRA Event
The VISKI thanks the VISTRA to be part of the VISTRA event. There were engaging presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities with exciting partners. The goal was to bring together various groups, such as representatives from business, politics, science, and NGOs. The event was a real meeting point to discuss the necessary steps for the transformation of rural areas.
The focus of the panel discussion claimed that people and their skills are essential for successful transformation in these areas. The discussion group in which Prof. Dr. John-Oliver Engler, District Mayor Tobias Gerdesmeyer, Prof. Dr. Jantje Halberstadt and Connor Hoffmann, emphasized, among other things, the importance of comprehensive competencies in order to manage complex challenges. Either skills are not comprehensible, for example due to foreign certificates, or they lie hidden in the workforce of the many small and medium-sized companies in the region. They are already there, but need to be seen and activated! This is where VISKIO comes into play: VISKIO delivers a digital portfolio with the validation of skills - which is also fun. According to the motto of Prof. Dr. Jantje Halberstadt “We have to generate activity. Let’s enjoy transformation!”.
This call makes it clear that transformation should not only be viewed as a challenge, but also as an opportunity. Many of the skills required for this already exist, but are difficult to recognize and recognize. VISKIO shows these skills beyond the certificate - and in an entertaining and playful way. So: "ENJOY!"
How VISKIO Contributes to Transformation
The VISKI project can contribute to the transformation of rural areas by helping people better integrate into the job market and reach their full potential. It supports the development of personal skills and promotes entrepreneurial thinking. The project’s focus on recognizing different skills can lead to a fairer and more sustainable future for rural regions.
It became clear: VISKIO is a really exciting approach to recognizing informal learning and driving the development of rural areas. It shows how important education and competence development are for a sustainable future.
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