External Validation of Quality: Introducing the new CAF Excellence Recognition (CER)
A milestone in recognising public sector excellence across Europe
The CAF Excellence Recognition (CER) is the new European procedure for external evaluation and partner feedback in public administration.
It allows public sector organisations to have their CAF implementation independently assessed, validated, and recognised, not just for compliance, but for excellence, innovation, and user impact.
What is CER?
CER is the updated name and enhanced version of the former Procedure for External Feedback (PEF). It strengthens the external validation process of CAF implementation and provides structured feedback to organisations, anchored in the core values of the European Administrative Space and the Principles of Excellence. Crucially, it now introduces a clearer distinction in levels of maturity in the Total Quality Management (TQM) approach.
Officially presented to the EUPAN Working Level and Directors-General under the Polish EU Presidency in May 2025, CER is more than a rebranding, it marks a strategic advancement in public sector quality assurance.
Where it started
The initiative was launched by the Austrian CAF National Centre in 2022 and supported by the CAF National Correspondents. Two surveys, coordinated and developed by the European CAF Resource Centre (EUCAFRC) at EIPA, in close collaboration with the CAF Network, ensured a participatory and evidence-based process. Feedback was collected from both Effective CAF Users (ECUs) and External Feedback Actors (EFAs), providing insights into the strengths, limitations, and future direction of external recognition.
Who developed CER?
A working group, coordinated by the European CAF Resource Centre at EIPA, led the development of CER, combining high-level expert input with stakeholder engagement across the CAF Network and community.
Special thanks go to the core team members: Tihana Puzić, Italo Benedini, Philip Parzer, Loredana Leon, Greta Hrehová, Isabelle Verschueren, Kenan Avdagić, Katarzyna Kudzik, Slaven Bukarica, and Olivera Damjanović.
What’s next?
A dedicated CER training for National CAF Correspondents will be held in Brussels from 14 to 16 October 2025, supported by the Belgian BOSA, the Belgian CAF Correspondent, and EUCAFRC.
To further strengthen the CAF model and the external feedback process, EIPA will also offer a series of CER training schemes to support countries in embedding CER into their quality and governance frameworks.
Interested? Reach out to us!
