The aim of this research was to analyze the rich, complex, interrelated relationship that could possibly be established between the Teaching for Understanding framework, pedagogical proposal belonging to Project Zero (Education research team of Harvard University, Boston, MA, US), and the European Competency Framework. Through an in-depth analysis of the constituent features that define and explain both proposals, and questions answered both by teachers with ample classroom experience and experts on the field, it shows that these are two complementary educational perspectives that share a similar vocation and that contribute to improving the teaching-learning process in Higher Education, specifically in the context of initial Teacher Training. Likewise, it analyzes the different factors to take into account when implementing them, particularly in the context of Higher Education; factors that make them complex proposals but also of very high educational value and with the potential to enrich the teaching-learning process, no matter the context.