is not the same as traditional evaluation or impact assessment, but focuses mainly on the achievements of the programme with a view to formulating recommendations for improvements and future priorities. It is not a very well defined methodology, and valorisation exercises consequently vary greatly from country to country, as well as in quality. Each country was given the possibility to choose between certain themes, and mobility was an issue in several countries covered by this study (Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway, and the UK) as well as an element in European-level valorisation. Other than these evaluations, research-based treatment of the theme of placements abroad is virtually non-existent. Some work, however, has been done on organisational matters, notably on legal and administrative barriers, culminating with the Commission’s Green Paper on obstacles to mobility from 1996. The main source of funding for development activities (in the majority of countries the only source) is the strand for pilot-projects under the Leonardo da Vinci programme. The recognition of qualifications acquired abroad is a major issue here. However, only 57 projects dealing with mobility-related subjects could be identified (out of a total project number of over 3000) in the first phase of the programme (1995–99). Prominent themes were placement finding, preparation, and quality assurance. See also Apprenticeship Education German model Guild Indentured servant International student Journeyman Tradesman Vocational education References External links Kristensen, S. (2004) Learning by leaving. Placements abroad as a didactic tool in the context of vocational education and training in Europe. Cedefop Reference series; 55. European Commission (2005).Study on the obstacles to transnational mobility faced by apprentices and other young people in initial vocational training and on ways of overcoming them. Brussels, DG Education and Culture European Commission (1996). Green Paper of 2 October 1996: Education - Training - Research: the obstacles to transnational mobility. Agreements for Agricultural Apprentices Mobility in Europe European Commission (2007). Study on obstacles to mobility of apprentices and other young people in VET Schools programs