The DIGNITY project responds to the urgent need for high-quality domiciliary palliative care in Europe by developing a standardized, transnational Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification. The primary aim is to develop, test, and implement a standardized, cross-border Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification titled “Palliative Care and DIGNITY at the End of Life at Home”.

The DIGNITY project addresses the growing demand for high quality home based palliative care across Europe by tackling key challenges, including workforce shortages, fragmented training pathways, skills mismatches, and the lack of a harmonised competency based approach. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of healthcare professionals through the development of a Joint Transnational VET Qualification in Domiciliary Palliative Care, aligned with European standards and supported by mobility opportunities, innovative training models, and closer collaboration between healthcare providers and educational institutions. By promoting the exchange of best practices and improving the recognition of qualifications across countries, DIGNITY contributes to building a more skilled, resilient, and future ready palliative care workforce.

To achieve these objectives, the project will develop a comprehensive curriculum, learning materials, occupational profiles, and a roadmap for qualification accreditation, supported by research, stakeholder consultations, co design and validation activities in four participating countries. The qualification will be piloted through eight training modules involving 160 learners, complemented by international mobility activities for 60 participants and Train the Trainer initiatives. Through strong engagement with educators, healthcare professionals, policymakers, patient organisations, and European sector networks, DIGNITY seeks to improve the quality and consistency of domiciliary palliative care, raise awareness of its importance, and support the long term integration of the new qualification into national education and healthcare systems.