Reminder: Join us tomorrow for the webinar on ‘Preserving water through public procurement’ (10/04/2025)

You are invited to a webinar on Thursday 10 April 2025, 14:00 - 15:30 (CEST)

EU GPP Helpdesk Webinar 'Preserving water through public procurement' (10/04/2025)

You are invited to a webinar on Thursday 10 April 2025, 14:00 - 15:30 (CEST)

Application of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions in Textiles Tender - Case study of Erfurt, Germany (31/03/2025)

In line with its commitments to fair trade and sustainable public procurement, the city concluded recently a framework agreement for the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and workwear, compliant with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) core labour standards. The initiative aims to boost the demand for eco-efficient and fairly-traded products in the textile sector. The framework covers the needs of various municipal facilities/units, such as the parks, canal maintenance, sewage, gardening, cemetery, caretaker, and medical departments.

Clean Industrial Act helps public buyers move towards non-price criteria (31/03/2025)

On February 26th, the European Commission presented its Clean Industrial Deal to strengthen European industries’ competitiveness and accelerate the decarbonisation of the economy. It aims at ensuring access to affordable energy, boost demand for decarbonised products, stimulate private and public investment in the clean transition, secure access to raw materials, promote circularity, reskill the workforce, and foster international partnerships that ensure a level playing field with non-European competitors.

Developing a National Procurement Strategy for Ireland (31/03/2025)

Interview with Fergal Grogan, from the Office Government for Procurement (OGP), Ireland. The OGP operates as part of the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform, and aims to shape a future for public procurement that is transparent and socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. Last year, the OGP hosted a workshop in Ireland as part of the Public Procurement Dialogues project, which culminated in the publication of Ireland’s Strategic Public Procurement Roadmap earlier this year.

EU GPP Helpdesk webinar (31/03/2025)

The first webinar of the year, taking place on 10 April, is entitled ‘Preserving Water through Public Procurement’ and seeks to explore how GPP can influence sustainable water management, promote water efficiency, sustainable infrastructure and practices that minimise water waste and pollution across the European Union. GPP not only mitigates environmental impacts, but also supports the EU's broader environmental and climate objectives by fostering healthier aquatic ecosystems and safeguarding water resources for future generations. Registrations are open https://bit.ly/4cg8Q6w!

Living-in.EU presents procurement support materials (31/03/2025)

The Living-in.EU platform has made procurement guidelines and templates available to support cities in scaling up their digital infrastructure. The guidelines provide a step-by-step approach to ensure alignment with EU standards, offering insights into best practices, customisation, and practical implementation strategies. The templates serve as ready-to-use, open-license documents designed to simplify procurement tasks, covering technical specifications for open data platforms and scalable digital twin technologies.

Solar supply chains in focus: Understand risks, buy responsibly! (31/03/2025)

Bezirksamt Friedrichshain Kreuzberg, a Berlin city district that is part of the Big Buyers Working Together Community of Practice on Sustainable Solar PV has developed a brochure on how to assess and mitigate human rights and environmental risks in the supply chains of silicon-based solar modules. The analysis focuses on modules with links to Xinijan and an extremely high global market share due to their high efficiency.

One Planet Network: Good practice on ecolabels and sustainable public procurement of ICT (31/03/2025)

Focusing on the electronics sector, these good practices promote the potential of using ecolabels to improve sustainable public procurement (SPP) in this industry. These success stories show how governments are using ecolabels to simplify the SPP process and boost sustainability in the market.

New EU regulation will promote the procurement of sustainable packaging (27/02/2025)

On 19 December 2024, the EU adopted the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR - Regulation (EU) 2025/40) which aims to foster the transition to a circular and competitive economy for packaging and its related waste. The PPWR, which entered into force in February 2025, aims to reduce the use of primary raw materials, make the recycling of all packaging on the EU market economically viable by 2030, safely incorporate recycled plastic in packaging, and put the packaging sector on track for climate neutrality by 2050.

Circular and fair procurement of office and public furniture - City of Helsinki, Finland (27/02/2025)

In 2024, the City of Helsinki launched a call for competition for the procurement of office and public space furniture that complies with environmental and social responsibility standards. The framework agreement was designed to promote circular economy principles, minimise environmental impacts, and uphold human rights and fair labour practices. The inclusion of used furniture as a mandatory requirement and the tightening of criteria on hazardous substances had a significant impact on the tendering process, requiring a market dialogue to assess feasibility.

Shaping the future of public procurement: insights into the PPE+ Europe 2024-2028 training programme (27/02/2025)

Interview with Uwe Flach, who is the project manager of the PPE+ programme and the Head of Consulting, Organisational Development & International Affairs at Austria's Federal Procurement Agency (BBG), the central purchasing body for the public sector in Austria. BBG is part of the Consortium implementing PPE+ Europe 2024 - 2028, which aims to enhance the strategic procurement capabilities of centralised procurement organisations across Europe.

Procura+ Awards: call for applications (27/02/2025)

Public authorities can now submit applications for the 2025 Procura+ Awards, organised by Procura+, a network of European public authorities that connect, exchange and act on sustainable and innovation procurement. This year for the first time the Awards go beyond Europe, showcasing good practices worldwide with the Global Initiative of the Year, one of three categories accepting submissions this year, alongside Sustainable Procurement of the Year and Innovation Procurement of the Year. Don't miss the opportunity and send your application by 31 March.

#EUCircularTalks event (27/02/2025)

The ECESP Leadership Group on Circular Procurement and EU Competitiveness invites you to join the webinar on Circular Thinking in Procurement: The Role of Training & Mindset Shifts. This educational session will delve into value chain collaboration initiated by procurement and the role of peer-to-peer learning networks in promoting circular procurement. It will also emphasise the importance of training and fostering a shift in mindset. This event will take place online at 10:00-12:30 CET on 7 March.

Green public procurement Guidelines for buildings (27/02/2025)

The construction sector‘s public procurement activities account for approximately 12% of GHG emissions. To address this, the SURF project has developed Green Public Procurement guidelines to provide European public authorities with clear guidance on how to integrate ‘green’ criteria into public procurement procedures related to building construction and renovation. The guidance should help public authorities significantly advance national and EU environmental and climate policy goals.

Urban Agenda Partnership: Action Plan 2025-2028 (27/02/2025)

The Urban Agenda Partnership on Innovative and Responsible Public Procurement has developed its Draft Action Plan 2025-2028. The partnership aims to bring together different stakeholders, including cities, regions, and national governments to promote innovative and responsible practices in public procurement. With its Draft Plan, it aims to enable European Public authorities to evolve and broaden their knowledge. The Plan identifies three key actions: capacity building for procurement as a strategic tool, advocacy for better funding, and better funding to stimulate strategic procurement. The partnership asks for feedback on these actions before developing the plan’s final version.

How the Big Buyers Working Together project advances Sustainable and Socially Responsible Public Procurement (19/12/2024)

Interview with Sandra Simões, Member of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Public Markets, Real Estate and Construction (IMPIC). Ms Simões participates in the Community of Practice on Social Procurement Community in the framework of BBWT project, which supports collaboration between public procurers with large purchasing power and promotes wider use of strategic public procurement for innovative and sustainable solutions.

Designing a Circular Economy Hub in Riga (19/12/2024)

On December 6th 2024, Riga’s first Circular Economy Hub was inaugurated in Riga. This multifunctional space is designed to help citizens get acquainted with the principles of the circular economy and it provides a free workshop where residents can borrow tools to repair and prolong the life of their items. The hub’s design aligns with circular economy principles as the materials, furniture and decoration incorporate second-hand and reused products and materials. To design and furnish the Hub circularly, the Riga Energy Agency launched in June 2024 a call to hire a team of qualified specialists in interior design and a workshop master. The bidders had to demonstrate their ability and experience with working with second-hand and upcycled products and materials.

Global Framework for Action (19/12/2024)

The One Planet Network published its common principles for action on harnessing sustainable and circular public procurement to drive demand for Near-Zero Emissions and Resilient Buildings (NZERBs). The principles were developed through a global, multi-stakeholder consultation process involving key actors across the procurement cycle and in the construction value chain.

Schaerbeek: example of public participation in public procurement - Municipality of Schaerbeek, Belgium (19/12/2024)

The Belgian municipality of Schaerbeek invested in the requalification of the Pogge area with the aim to increase social inclusion and cohesion of the area. One key action of the initiative was the procurement of artistic interventions in 3 public spaces. The procurement project saw the active involvement of the municipality’s citizens, especially in the preliminary phase.

UNIDO Report (19/12/2024)

The UNIDO report explores how green public procurement (GPP) in steel and cement can drive low-carbon innovation in Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. It highlights GPP's potential to cut emissions significantly, stimulate sustainable supply chains, and align industrial policies with climate goals. The findings underline GPP as a critical tool for achieving decarbonization in heavy industries.

Rental of reused uniforms for elder- and home care, dental care and canteen workers - Høje-Taastrup Municipality, Denmark (20/12/2024)

The Høje-Taastrup Municipality noticed a high volume of uniforms for elder- and home care, dental care and canteen workers were discarded despite remaining in good condition. Therefore, this procurement supplied used garments in a clothing rental and washing contract for municipal employees to reduce waste generation and the unnecessary burden on the natural resources used to produce the uniforms.

WeBuySocialEU provides training in Helsinki (19/12/2024)

In September, the WeBuySocialEU project conducted a training in Helsinki to empower public buyers and social economy actors with practical strategies for socially responsible public procurement (SRPP). Hosted by Silta-Valmennusyhdistys, the session focused on fostering collaboration, improving tender participation, and integrating social policy goals into procurement practices. Similar training events this fall have taken place in La Valletta (Malta), Lisbon (Portugal), and Vienna (Austria) with national stakeholders.

Watch the latest EU GPP Helpdesk webinar (19/12/2024)

The fourth and final 2024 webinar of the EU GPP Helpdesk took place on 12 December between 10 and 11.30 CET. It dealt with the topic of preliminary market consultations and how this can boost sustainable public procurement. During the webinar, presentations from countries such as Spain, Belgium and the Czech Republic took place. If you were unable to attend, watch the recording!

Sapiens Working Paper Series (19/12/2024)

The Sapiens Network working paper examines integrating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Circularity Assessment (CA) into EU public procurement. It explores opportunities and challenges in aligning procurement practices with sustainability goals, emphasizing the importance of these tools in fostering resource efficiency and circular economies. The paper provides actionable insights to advance sustainable procurement frameworks.

Recycling the 10 Rs into circular criteria (29/11/2024)

In 2023, the Strategic Procurement Department of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) developed a system highlighting how each of the 10Rs can be put into practice through procurement and which techniques can be applied. The publicly owned company also developed a roadmap for circular procurement and trained all its procurement experts on this approach. This system helped to increase the share of circular tender criteria used by the ÖBB to 16% in 2023.

National framework contract for remanufactured notebook computers - Office of Government Procurement, Ireland (29/11/2024)

The new Framework aims to build on the benefits and success of OGPs previously established ICT Frameworks by: I.ensuring access to high quality Remanufactured Windows Notebook Computers at the most economically advantageous cost for all Framework Clients; II.promoting and encourage SME participation and opportunity; and III.supporting the environmental ambitions of the Irish Government.

Professionalisation of public procurement in Cyprus (29/11/2024)

In this interview, Mr. Philippos Katranis pointed out that a public procurement reform was put forward to professionalize the way public authorities in Cyprus satisfy their needs employing a holistic approach to purchasing under four pillars. This strategy was approved by the Council of Ministers and today, the reform is in its implementation phase. These four pillars are: I.Introduction of the professional procurer, II.Central Purchasing Unit, III.Professionalize the largest contracting authorities, and IV.Inject project teams for big or strategic projects with procurement professionals.

Removal, transport, renovation and storage of school furniture - Collectivité Européenne d’Alsace (CeA), France (29/11/2024)

The furniture repair service contract of the school d’Eckebolsheim reached both environmental and social objectives. On one hand, it promoted circular economy principles, on the other hand, it involved social economy actors who employ disadvantaged workers. These objectives were aligned with the school’s strategy, as well as with the sustainable public procurement goals of the CeA, the National plan for sustainable procurement and the Anti-waste and Circular Economy Act, which encourages circular procurement.

Next EU GPP Helpdesk webinar (29/11/2024)

The next EU GPP Helpdesk webinar will be held on 12 December 2024, from 10 to 11.30 CET, and will cover the topic of preliminary market consultations. The event aims to provide participants with concrete tips and examples on how to organise preliminary market consultations, as well as to highlight the benefits of engaging the private sector with sustainable public procurement. Registration: https://bit.ly/3OxvJal

Evaluation of the Public Procurement Directives (29/11/2024)

In line with the Political guidelines for the next term 2024-2029, the European Commission is set to launch a comprehensive evaluation of the Public Procurement Directives. You can read more about the evaluation at the Public Buyers Community Platform (https://bit.ly/4f7lIvL). Stay up-to-date by subscribing to DG GROW’s Procurement Gazette: https://bit.ly/3V7quSs

SPIN4EIC Assistance to Public Buyers (29/11/2024)

The SPIN4EIC Strategic Innovation Procurement Programme has launched its Assistance to Public Buyers which offers free and comprehensive support services tailored to the specific needs of public buyers and aimed at enhancing the capacity of procurers to purchase innovative and sustainable solutions throughout the whole of the tendering process.

How to prepare and start a PV project (29/11/2024)

This guide offers a step-by-step overview for public and private buyers interested in photovoltaic projects. It covers essential elements such as project sizing, financing and subsidies and procurement processes. The guide was developed by the Dutch Buyers Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. It has now been translated in all 25 EU languages. Public organisations are invited to download these documents and propose edits/amendments, based on their own national context.

EU GPP Helpdesk Webinar: how can preliminary market consultations boost sustainable public procurement? (12/12/2024)

You are invited to a webinar on Thursday 12 December 2024, 10:00 - 11:30 (CET)

New guidelines on the use of EU Ecolabel (28/10/2024)

The EU Joint Research Centre (JRC) has released two new guides on the use of the EU Ecolabel in green public procurement for hard-covering products and absorbent hygiene products. New guides for graphic paper and tissue paper and tissue products are planned to be published in the first quarter of 2025.

From trees to streets: Using bio-resin in road marking works - Helsinki, Finland (28/10/2024)

Well-maintained road markings enhance road safety, traffic flow, and pedestrian protection, and to ensure this across Helsinki, Stara Public Enterprise (“Helsingin kaupungin rakentamispalveluliikelaitos”), the city’s construction service, launched an open procedure in 2022 for road marking and painting works with an emphasis on environmental responsibility. The procurement aimed to achieve the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) while reducing the environmental impacts of markings.

Lithuania’s way: employing public procurement as a tool to reach environmental goals (28/10/2024)

Interview with Mr. Kęstutis Kazulis, Principal Advisor at the Public Procurement Office of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. By embedding sustainability into its public procurement system, Lithuania aims to leverage its substantial public sector spending to make a positive environmental impact, while also driving long-term economic benefits through sustainable development.

Germany: Flyer about Eco-friendly and cost-saving (28/10/2024)

The brochure published by the German Environment Agency provides up-to-date information on the advantages of environmentally friendly procurement, but also offers practical guidance on how environmental aspects can be considered in a procurement process. Furthermore, it also provides agencies and their respective links for support where necessary.

Good practice on ecolabels and sustainable public procurement (28/10/2024)

Elaborated by One Planet Network and the Eco-Advance project, this document highlights good practices from Italy, Germany and Korea on the use of the e-catalogue with sustainable products and services. It also points out the advantages of creating centralised platforms for sustainable procurement, indicating what these systems are about and what items and services they typically include.

Circular Green Public Procurement survey (28/10/2024)

Public authorities in Italy, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, Croatia and Poland are invited to fill-out a survey on Circular Green Public Procurement (C/GPP). This assessment will explore the demand side of GPP to identify the potential for circularity and the main barriers to overcome in Central Europe. It will also provide an overview of the level of awareness and implementation of GPP. This survey was launched by the CE-PRINCE partnership, which aims to standardise circular procurement approaches across central European countries and industries. Fill out the survey now!

Watch the latest EU GPP helpdesk webinar (28/10/2024)

The webinar took place on 16 October and was attended by more than 150 participants. It addressed the monitoring of the impact of public procurement by exploring how cost savings, pollution reduction and positive social outcomes of public procurement can be measured and evaluated. It highlighted good practices in the Member States of Slovenia and Lithuania, and also featured presentations from DG GROW and IISD, who presented their views on the topic.

EU GPP Helpdesk Webinar: 'Making an impact: monitoring the outcomes of public procurement' (16/10/2024)

You are invited to a webinar on Wednesday 16 October 2024, 10:00 - 11:30 (CEST)

Procuring quality and user-centred social work services with accommodation for refugees, including wage and qualification requirements for the staff employed - Berlin, Germany (30/09/2024)

In July 2023, the State Office for Refugees in Berlin published a call for tenders for operational services regarding the accommodation of refugees (CPV code 85311000-2 ‘Social work services with accommodation’), which were tendered by open competition. The objectives of this public procurement procedure were the provision of the following services 1) the administration of the accommodation, 2) the reception and accommodation of refugees, 3) their counselling and social care, among others.

City of Lisbon: Implementation of ISO 20400 (01/10/2024)

The Municipality of Lisbon is one of the 10 biggest public procurers in Portugal. Aware of the responsibility that it bears, the City is committed to using public procurement as a means to inspire and influence the market, organisations, regulators, civil society and even the Government.

What do the Net-Zero Industrial Act and the Ecodesign Regulation mean for Green Public Procurement? (30/09/2024)

Since the adoption of the European Green Deal, the 2019-2024 European Commission has presented several legislative proposals aiming to set Europe on a path towards becoming the first climate-neutral continent. In June 2024, the EU adopted the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), which contain provisions on green public procurement.

First ever NZEB upgrade of schools in Cyprus of, within the framework of the European project PEDIA - Cyprus (30/09/2024)

In 2020, the Cyprus Energy Agency, in collaboration with the Education Unit for the Environment and Sustainable Development of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, initiated the ‘Promoting Energy Efficiency & Developing Innovative Approaches in Schools’ (PEDIA) project with an aim to transform at least 25 public school buildings across Cyprus into Nearly-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) and contribute to the fulfilment of the European and National goals of Cyprus for energy and climate.

GPP Helpdesk webinars (30/09/2024)

On 17 September, the EU GPP Helpdesk held its second webinar of 2024 which addressed the use of the mandatory horizontal social clause enshrined in Article 18.2 of Directive 2014/24/EU. Presentations were given by representatives of DG GROW and contracting authorities from Italy, Belgium and Germany. The next EU GPP Helpdesk webinar will take place on 16 October and focus on 'Making an impact: monitoring the outcomes of public procurement’. Registrations are open: https://bit.ly/4ei5DDz

Harnessing Public Procurement for the Green Transition (30/09/2024)

This OECD report presents how GPP is being used to deliver environmental benefits. The document is based on a 2022 OECD GPP survey and drew responses from 38 countries (OECD Member and accession candidate countries). It outlines best practices on green strategies, persistent challenges and recommendations to boost green public procurement.

2025 Flagship Technical Support Project (30/09/2024)

To tackle climate change, a green public finance management strategy is needed to help foster innovation, efficiency, effectiveness and cost savings. This Flagship aims to help Member States better define and deliver a more green public administration, reduce their carbon footprint through work organisation and resource management, and emphasise creating a whole-of-government approach.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Public Procurement (01/10/2024)

The European Commission established the Community of Practice on Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Public Procurement, and recently launched a survey on how to improve collaboration among public buyers in the EU. Click on more to find out the latest news about this Community.