On 10 April 2025, Warsaw (PL) hosted the 10th European CAF Users’ Event under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Organised in close collaboration with EIPA’s European CAF Resource Centre, the event brought together over 130 participants, including high-level leaders from CAF institutions, practitioners, policymakers, and public sector innovators from across Europe. The focus: advancing the role of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) in driving public sector transformation.
The event opened with a keynote highlighting the importance of building resilient, future-ready civil services, setting the stage for a day of strategic dialogue and knowledge exchange.
A key highlight was the contribution from the European CAF Resource Centre, which outlined the evolving strategic direction of the CAF network. Emphasis was placed on supporting innovation through capacity-building and cross-national collaboration. Inputs from OECD/SIGMA and ReSPA reinforced the importance of implementing robust quality measures across the public sector.
The “Golden 18” Best Practices
At the heart of the event was the presentation of the CAF Golden 18—a group of public organisations recognised for outstanding achievements in quality management. Selected from 34 submissions, these organisations demonstrated real-life impact, innovation, and the ability to transfer practices across contexts. Whether leading in digital services, environmental sustainability, or citizen-centric service delivery, these cases showed how CAF drives meaningful transformation and results.
The event was positive, human and a forward-looking share of content, expertise and commitment to better serve – via qualitative performance management – the public service users across the European continent. A great experience!”
In the coming weeks, a comprehensive publication covering all submitted practices and the key conclusions of the CAF Users’ Event will be shared with relevant stakeholders and partners to enhance awareness of CAF’s contribution to public administration reform across Europe.
CAF National Correspondents Meeting: A Network with Passion for Excellence
Nearly 40 national CAF representatives and partners gathered in Warsaw the day after the CAF Users Event to discuss the current status, next actions and turn challenges into opportunities for growth. The tone was clear: focus on relevance, visibility, and shared action.
Key outcomes
- Development of SMART CAF confirmed
A core group of national experts will be coordinated by the European CAF Resource Centre with the aim to develop a SMART CAF. The goal is to retain the DNA of the model while making it more accessible and easier to use, especially for newcomers. - Information about the Procedure for External Feedback (PEF) Update: The new CAF Excellence Recognition (CER) as a new version of the PEF is awaiting its final presentation during the EUPAN DG meeting on 27 and 28 May in Warsaw. The capacity building on CER is set for 14–16 October 2025, Brussels, hosted by BOSA. Up to 60 participants, including National Correspondents and selected External Feedback Actors. The third day will spotlight CAF in Education, with possible field visits (stay tuned!).
- CAF in Education prioritised
A dedicated agenda is being prepared for Brussels. Focus: targeted promotion and hands-on support to apply CAF in the education sector. - CAF Knowledge Platform to be developed
The European CAF Resource Centre will create a user-friendly space to centralise CAF materials, tools, case studies and guidance. - CAF Network strategy in preparation
A shared strategy will be drafted to guide CAF activities and align with broader EU reform agendas. A European Quality Conference in 2027 is being explored, possibly under a future TSI initiative.
Three research contributions helped frame the discussion:
- EIPA study on the institutionalisation of quality management, presented by Gracia Vara Arribas, highlighted what makes quality systems stick: strong coordination, capacity building with sustained political support. The study also warned that budget cuts and changing leadership remain key barriers – and that reframing quality as a term around citizen needs can help maintain traction.
- Austrian CAF impact survey, presented by Philip Parzer (KDZ), confirmed that CAF delivers long-term improvements in leadership, user focus, digital transformation and cross-departmental collaboration.
- Polish CAF survey, presented by Katarzyna Dudzik (Polish CAF National Correspondent), confirmed that despite the limited awareness and application of the CAF, institutions that used the model reported positive outcomes – 87% experienced operational improvements. Benefits were particularly noted in internal processes, leadership, and citizen relations.
Reflections that count
- More strategic communication
Participants agreed on the need for clearer messaging, smarter storytelling, and consistent reporting to national and EU-level audiences.
- Time to challenge ourselves
Tihana Puzić called on the network to reflect on how CAF is being communicated and taught. “We need to ask: are we still connecting with today’s users?”
What’s next
- Next NC Meeting: 1 October 2025, Copenhagen, hosted by the Danish EU Presidency
- SMART CAF core group: To be formed by end of May
- CER training and CAF Education promotion: Brussels, 14–16 October
CAF is not longer just a framework. It’s a network with ambition—and a strategy in motion.
We would like to extend an enormous thank you to our Polish colleagues for their outstanding effort and perfect organisation – and for making the CAF Users’ Event and National Correspondents’ Meeting in Poland truly unforgettable! Special words of gratitude for the organisation of the 10th CAF Users Event go to the Polish team: Ms. Kuzawińska Marta, Ms. Dudzik Katarzyna and Mr. Witold Stelmalski.
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