The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is a European tool for improving public administration organizations. CAF National Correspondents ensure cooperation between countries, facilitate the sharing of experience, and support the further development of the model. Below is a brief overview of the most significant activities in 2025.

Key Meetings of National Correspondents

In 2025, two working meetings of CAF National Correspondents took place, hosted by the countries holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union according to the rotation principle:

• 11th April 2025 – Warsaw (Polish Presidency)
• 1st October 2025 – Copenhagen (Danish Presidency, hybrid format)

Discussions focused primarily on the future of the CAF model, implementation challenges (lack of capacity and resources), as well as the need for simplification and support for digitalization.

10th European CAF Users’ Event

On 10th April 2025, the 10th anniversary European CAF Users’ Event was held in Warsaw, attended by over 130 public administration representatives. The highlight of the program was the “Golden 18” presentations – selected examples of good practice from 13 European countries. The Slovak delegation (UNMS SR and the City of Nitra) actively participated in the expert discussions.

CAF Education 2024

On 15 th January 2025, a new version of the CAF Education 2024 manual, designed for educational institutions, was published on the EIPA (European Institute of Public Administration) website. The manual is also available in Slovak translation on the UNMS SR website. Following its publication, UNMS SR, in its role as the CAF National Correspondent, supported its implementation through an online seminar titled “Introduction of CAF Education – The CAF Model for Educational Institutions,” held on 18th February 2025.

CAF Excellence Recognition (CER)

The year 2025 saw the launch of the revised external feedback process, CAF Excellence Recognition (CER). On 15th June 2025, the CER manual was published on the EIPA website, marking the start of a 1.5-year transition period. During this period, both the new CER process and the original CAF External Feedback (EFB) evaluation process can be applied.

Revision of the CAF Model and the CAF Update Survey

The revision process of the CAF 2020 model was initiated by EIPA during 2025, with the aim of preparing an updated version (working title: CAF 2026). Part of this process included the CAF Update Survey, an online questionnaire conducted in September 2025. Slovak CAF users were also invited to participate in this survey.

Outlook for 2026

Based on the results of the CAF Update Survey, an online coordination meeting of CAF National Correspondents is scheduled for 20th January 2026. The goal of this meeting will be to discuss the way forward and the next steps regarding the revision of the CAF model.

Updated 14.01.2026