ICANN Releases Continuous Improvement Program Framework for Community-Led Enhancements

On 8 July 2025, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced the official release of its Continuous Improvement Program (CIP) Framework. This framework was developed by the Continuous Improvement Program Community Coordination Group (CIP‑CCG) and aims to support long-term, community-driven enhancements to ICANN's internal structures and operational practices.

Meeting the ATRT3's Vision for Dynamic Review

The CIP Framework directly responds to Recommendation 3.6 of the Third Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT3), which encouraged ICANN to replace traditional, static Organizational Reviews with a more dynamic, ongoing process. Under this model, Supporting Organizations (SOs), Advisory Committees (ACs), and the Nominating Committee (NomCom) can now assess their performance in ways that reflect their unique functions—while still aligning with ICANN’s commitment to accountability and transparency.

An Eighteen-Month Community Effort

The framework is the result of 18 months of collaboration, beginning in January 2024. Volunteers from various SOs, ACs, and NomCom came together under the CIP‑CCG and engaged in biweekly meetings throughout 2024 and early 2025. Their work was grounded in ICANN’s Bylaws, specifically Article 4.4, and aimed to create a model that promotes both self-governance and adaptability across the organization.

Drafting, Feedback, and Finalization

A draft version of the framework was released for public comment between 21 November 2024 and 21 January 2025. Feedback from community stakeholders, including advisory groups and constituencies, was carefully reviewed in March 2025. The CIP‑CCG then finalized the document and submitted it for approval, leading to its formal publication in July.

Transition to Implementation

With the framework now published, the Continuous Improvement Program moves into its implementation phase. Each SO, AC, and the NomCom will design and execute its own continuous improvement cycle. Every participating group is expected to complete one full cycle—consisting of assessment, action, and reporting—at least once within a three-year period. This approach fosters a culture of measurable progress while maintaining flexibility.

A Call to Participate

ICANN is encouraging all community members to familiarize themselves with the new framework and actively contribute to its rollout within their respective groups. This ongoing, collaborative approach ensures that ICANN’s multi-stakeholder model remains resilient, responsive, and aligned with the evolving needs of the global Internet ecosystem.