Groningen Declaration Network
Groningen Declaration Network is a Netherlands-incorporated non-profit foundation that operates a global multi-stakeholder network of 80+ educational institutions, governments, and credentialing bodies advancing digital student data portability and cross-border credential exchange.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersGroningen, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Groningen Declaration Network does
Groningen Declaration Network (GDN) is an international non-profit federated trust foundation incorporated in the Netherlands (Stichting, Chamber of Commerce registration 67518613, incorporated 20 December 2016), tracing its origins to the signing of the Groningen Declaration on 16 April 2012. The organization operates as a multi-stakeholder network focused exclusively on digital student data portability, credential exchange, and cross-border learner mobility, with a current reach of more than 80 Signatory and Patron organizations spanning educational institutions, government qualification authorities, credentialing bodies, and non-profits across the Netherlands, United States, China, Australia, South Africa, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Norway.
GDN's technical portfolio centers on interoperability frameworks rather than commercial software products. Core assets include the T.R.U.S.T. Hub (a public visual mapping of the digital learner data ecosystem), the Network of Networks Framework for cross-jurisdictional credential exchange, and alignment with the open-source Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) developed with Credential Engine. Supporting programs include the Digital Hub, Video Library, working groups and task forces, country-specific case studies (Australia, Türkiye, India, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Caribbean), position papers on microcredentials, and the GDN Conversation Series webinars.
Revenue is generated primarily through tiered Signatory and Patron memberships (Basic Signatory €500, Supporting €2,500, Sustaining €5,500, Major €8,500, Principal €10,500, Platinum by agreement) paid annually, supplemented by event sponsorships for annual meetings, regional meetings, webinars, and sessions. Distribution is direct: organizations apply online and are reviewed by the Executive Director and Board. Operations are run with a small staff of 8, governed by a Board of Directors, an Advisory Council, and an Ambassador network.
Groningen Declaration Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Groningen Declaration Network
- Legal name
- Stichting Groningen Declaration Network
- Website
- https://groningendeclaration.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Groningen Declaration Network is a Netherlands-incorporated non-profit foundation that operates a global multi-stakeholder network of 80+ educational institutions, governments, and credentialing bodies advancing digital student data portability and cross-border credential exchange.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Groningen Declaration Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Education Credentialing and Digital Standards Network
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Study Abroad Provider Networks, Consortia & Membership Organizations (EDAIAAAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Single Sign-On (SSO) & Federation (BPAMAEAF), Data Virtualization & Federation (HDAEACAH), Certification & Licensing Exam Management Platforms (EDAFADAG)
Where Groningen Declaration Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Groningen
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Groningen Declaration Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Signatory and Patron Membership Fees: Organizations pay annual fees based on membership tier (Signatory only, Supporting, Sustaining, Major, Principal, Platinum) ranging from 500 to 10,500+ Euros annually. This includes not-for-profit organizations at 500 Euros basic rate, with higher tiers offering increased benefits including website visibility, event discounts, webinar features, and thought leadership promotion.
- Event Sponsorships: Organizations sponsor annual meetings, regional meetings, webinars, social events, speakers, and sessions. Sponsorship packages are tailored to meet organizational needs and profile requirements, connecting sponsors with the global movement in cross-border human capital mobility development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Basic Signatory only (not-for-profits only) |
| Subscription | Annual | Level 1 Signatory/Patron - Supporting |
| Subscription | Annual | Level 2 Signatory/Patron - Sustaining |
| Subscription | Annual | Level 3 Signatory/Patron - Major |
| Subscription | Annual | Level 4 Signatory/Patron - Principal |
| Subscription | Annual | Level 5 Signatory/Patron - Platinum |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Groningen Declaration Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Groningen Declaration Network operates a global, multi-stakeholder membership network dedicated to advancing digital student data portability, credential exchange, and learner mobility across borders. It delivers this through tiered Signatory and Patron memberships, the Digital Hub (including the T.R.U.S.T. Hub visual mapping tool), Annual and Regional Meetings, the GDN Conversation Series webinars, Working Groups and Task Forces, and applied research and case studies on credential interoperability, microcredentials, and recognition frameworks.
Product overview
The Groningen Declaration Network (GDN) is an international, non-profit federated trust organization, not a product company. It operates as a network of organizations focused on digital student data portability and credential exchange. The network provides collaborative services including the GDN Digital Hub (featuring the T.R.U.S.T. Hub visual mapping tool), Video Library, Research & Case Studies, Working Groups, Task Forces, Webinars (GDN Conversation Series), Annual Meetings, and Regional Meetings. These services are offered to Signatories, Patrons, and Friends of the network rather than as commercial products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- GDN Digital Hub Central online platform providing tools, resources, and knowledge including the T.R.U.S.T. Hub, Events Calendar, Case Studies, Research Papers, and GDN Projects & Initiatives. Full access requires Signatory/Patron membership.
- GDN Annual Meeting Annual international event bringing together GDN participants to share, learn, and lead discussions on developing capabilities, policies, and technical platforms to improve data exchange and credential portability.
- GDN Regional Meetings
- GDN Conversation Series (Webinars)
- Working Groups and Task Forces
Quantifiable outcome
- 100+ organizations participating in the network ecosystem
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Groningen Declaration Network
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Groningen Declaration Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Groningen Declaration Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Velocity Network FoundationcoreFormalized strategic partnership with MOU with Velocity Network Foundation, a global nonprofit building the internet of careers using blockchain-based technology to empower individuals with control over their verifiable credentials.
- European University FoundationcoreMOU partnership with the European University Foundation which focuses on five pillars: Quality Mobility, Employability, Digital Higher Education, Policy Innovation and Active Citizenship. The 21 European public university members share a culture of academic excellence.
- The Association for International Credential Evaluation ProfessionalssupportingPartnership with TAICEP supporting the profession of international credential evaluation through a welcoming community for practitioners, research, thought leadership, professional standards, and networking opportunities.
- Article 26 BackpacksupportingEndorsed project - The Universal Human Rights Tool for Academic Mobility empowering young people to plan and structure their higher education, training and career pathways.
- Data Standards UnitedsupportingEndorsed project - A global collaboration promoting coordinated data standards development across the digital credentialing ecosystem.
- DigilinksupportingEndorsed project - Project Advancing Digital Solutions in Recognition Data Sharing promoting the use of digital solutions to share recognition data between ENIC-NARIC centres, higher education institutions, learners, and other stakeholders.
- DigirecsupportingEndorsed project exploring the relationship between digital student data and recognition of foreign qualifications in line with the Lisbon Recognition Convention.
- European Commission MicrocredentialssupportingGDN provided a position paper on the European Commission's consultative work to establish a definition for micro-credentials.
- EPIC's Open Recognition and the Paris DeclarationsupportingEndorsed project - The Paris Declaration on Open Recognition advocates for inclusive and learner-centered approaches to recognizing all forms of learning.
- European Qualification Passport for RefugeessupportingEndorsed project - A standardized document issued by the Council of Europe and partners for recognition of refugee qualifications.
- Pan-Canadian Consortium on Admissions and TransfercoreMOU partnership with PCCAT to support student mobility and credit recognition in Canada by fostering pan-Canadian collaboration on pathways and transferability. Includes joint regional meetings and collaborative initiatives.
- Credential EnginecoreMOU partnership with Credential Engine, a U.S.-based nonprofit promoting transparency in education, training, and workforce development data. Credential Engine develops the open-source Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) to enhance interoperability and support learner mobility. The partnership includes joint webinars and collaboration on quality assurance CTDL projects.
- Postsecondary Electronic Standards CouncilcorePartnership with PESC, a leader in data standards for education promoting interoperability and open data exchange among educational institutions and government agencies. Active advisors and contributors to working groups and convenings.
- UNESCO Global ConventionsupportingGDN is an observer of the UNESCO Global Convention, actively encouraging organizations and institutions to adopt its principles in credential recognition practices that support lifelong learning.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Groningen Declaration Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- European University Foundation (EUF): Brussels-based network of 21 European public universities focused on quality mobility, employability, and digital higher education. Has an MOU with GDN and operates at the intersection of European learner mobility and digital credentialing.
- Credential Engine: U.S.-based nonprofit promoting transparency in education and workforce credential data; developer of the open-source Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL). Has an active MOU with GDN and is the closest functional peer in setting common credential descriptors.
- Velocity Network Foundation: Global nonprofit building blockchain-based verifiable credential infrastructure ('internet of careers'). MOU partner of GDN; competes for influence in the same verifiable-credential ecosystem that GDN's members depend on.
- TAICEP (The Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals): International professional association for credential evaluators. Has a supporting-tier MOU with GDN and is a peer in convening international practitioners around credential recognition standards and practitioner training.
- MyCreds | MesCertifs: Canadian national credential verification network, co-founded by GDN's current Executive Director Joanne Duklas. Operates a national credential exchange at a smaller geographic scope but with a more direct platform product, making it the most directly comparable peer organization.
- Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council (PESC): Standards body developing open data exchange standards for the education sector. Active partner of GDN; operates at the same layer (education data interoperability) and is a peer in convening institutions around common standards.
- PCCAT (Pan-Canadian Consortium on Admissions and Transfer): Canadian consortium supporting student mobility and credit recognition through provincial coordination. Has an MOU with GDN and is a peer in convening institutions around credential portability and cross-jurisdictional student mobility in Canada.
Broad incumbents
- National Student Clearinghouse: U.S.-based nonprofit operating the largest U.S. student data and credential verification infrastructure. Founding GDN member from the U.S.; comparable as a national-scale credential infrastructure player but with a U.S.-centric scope.
- AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers): U.S.-based nonprofit professional association for higher education registrars and admissions officers. Founding member of GDN; offers overlapping credential standards and recognition services but in a strictly U.S., registrar-led mandate.
Others
- UNESCO (Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications): UN agency developing the Global Convention on Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education. GDN is an observer of this convention and a participant in UNESCO consultations, making UNESCO an adjacent/ecosystem organization rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Groningen Declaration Network social profiles
Digital presenceGroningen Declaration Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Groningen Declaration Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Groningen Declaration Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Groningen Declaration Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Groningen Declaration Network
What does Groningen Declaration Network do?
The Groningen Declaration Network operates a global, multi-stakeholder membership network dedicated to advancing digital student data portability, credential exchange, and learner mobility across borders. It delivers this through tiered Signatory and Patron memberships, the Digital Hub (including the T.R.U.S.T. Hub visual mapping tool), Annual and Regional Meetings, the GDN Conversation Series webinars, Working Groups and Task Forces, and applied research and case studies on credential interoperability, microcredentials, and recognition frameworks.
Is Groningen Declaration Network a public or private company?
Groningen Declaration Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Groningen Declaration Network founded?
Groningen Declaration Network was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Groningen Declaration Network based?
Groningen Declaration Network is headquartered in Groningen, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Groningen Declaration Network make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Signatory and Patron Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are event Sponsorships.
Who are Groningen Declaration Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are European University Foundation (EUF), Credential Engine, Velocity Network Foundation, TAICEP (The Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals), MyCreds | MesCertifs, Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council (PESC) and PCCAT (Pan-Canadian Consortium on Admissions and Transfer). Broad incumbents are National Student Clearinghouse and AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers). UNESCO (Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications) is listed as an others.
Does Groningen Declaration Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for Groningen Declaration Network.
What industry is Groningen Declaration Network in?
Groningen Declaration Network's product category is Education Credentialing and Digital Standards Network. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIAAAK, Study Abroad Provider Networks, Consortia & Membership Organizations, with a secondary code of BPAMAEAF, Single Sign-On (SSO) & Federation. Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.