It is a free tool to assist public sector organisations to improve their performance.
As a consequence of this, it was decided that this quality framework should be jointly developed under the aegis of the Innovative Public Services Group (IPSG), an informal working group of national experts set up by the Directors General of the EUPAN network.
The results led to the CAF 2002, an improved version of the model, which was presented at the 2nd European Quality Conference in Denmark.
These eight principles are:[4] The CAF has nine criteria representing the main aspects requiring consideration in any organisational analysis.
As a matter of a fact, this focus is what distinguishes the CAF from the EFQM Excellence model.
They presume basic preconditions, common to our European socio-political and administrative culture: legitimacy (democratic parliamentary), the rule of law and ethical behaviour based on common values and principles such as openness, accountability, participation, diversity, equity, social justice, solidarity, collaboration and partnerships.
These sub-criteria identify the main issues that need to be considered when assessing a public sector organisation.