EIPA Hosts International CAF Trainers’ Event to Advance Capacity-Building and Collaboration

News

On 20 and 21 November, the European CAF Resource Centre at EIPA held the International CAF Trainers’ Event, a hands-on event tailored to the needs of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) community. Attended by CAF practitioners from different countries, this event united CAF experts and newcomers to explore practical solutions, share best practices, and refine the tools for CAF implementation.

The main focus of this training was to address the needs of CAF users for capacity-building through practical sessions and soft skills training. It also aimed to develop CAF materials accessible to everyone and pinpoint the best ways to make the CAF training more effective. The goal was not just capacity-building, but also capacity development. Participants worked on real-life cases, collaborating closely to ensure the training delivered meaningful and practical outcomes.

The event also featured a tour de table, where participants shared their personal journeys with CAF, which promoted a sense of community and mutual understanding. Nick Thijs, Senior Advisor at SIGMA, provided insights into training needs identified during CAF implementation, setting the stage for the tailored modules.

Participants were taken through a carefully designed programme that combined presentations, group work, and interactive exercises:
  • CAF ABC & Soft Skills: The first day introduced participants to key CAF phases, facilitation hacks, and strategies for conducting self-assessments from the perspective of an External Feedback Actor. Trainers Tihana Puzić, Deputy Head of the European CAF Resource Centre at EIPA and Philip Parzer, Head of the CAF Centre in KDZ, guided the group in exploring problem-solving techniques, managing conflicts, and sharpening facilitation and presentation skills.
  • Real-Life Case Studies: The group work provided participants with the chance to apply their learning to real-world scenarios, deepening their understanding of CAF’s practical applications. Following the exercises, a feedback session allowed the group to share insights and suggestions, with a strong recommendation to continue incorporating role-plays and interactive activities in future
    training.
  • External Feedback Procedure 2024: On the second day, CAF expert Italo Benedini joined the trainers’ team to present the updates to the External Feedback Procedure.
  • Principles of Excellence: An interactive session encouraged participants to explore CAF’s foundational principles, with presentations and group discussions highlighting Pillar 3 of the framework.
  • The Commitment Tree: This activity encouraged reflection, inclusivity, and collaboration, symbolising growth and shared commitment. Participants wrote insights on sticky notes and added them to branches of the tree, emphasising how diverse contributions strengthen the CAF community. This exercise aligned with key soft skills like self-awareness, empathy, and action.

 

I was glad to participate and I learned a lot from the training. Although the participants had different levels of knowledge about the CAF model, they created a wonderful energy among themselves.”

 

Overall, lively feedback sessions followed each module, allowing participants to refine their learning and offer valuable input on the training materials.
By the end of the event, participants had sharpened their skills, contributed to the refinement of CAF training resources, and built strong connections within the CAF community. These new resources will support organisations worldwide in their journey toward excellence using the Common Assessment Framework.

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A sincere thank you to all our partners and trainers—Tihana Puzic, Gracia Vara, Philip Parzer, Nick Thijs and Italo Benedini —and to the entire CAF community for making this event a truly successful experience!

About the European CAF Resource Centre at EIPA

 

 

 

 

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