The first European Commission’s Green Public Procurement (GPP) Helpdesk webinar of 2024 will focus on the professionalisation of public procurement. To have good public procurement processes and support green, circular and social policies, public buyers must have the relevant knowledge, competencies and expertise. In October 2017, the European Commission adopted a 'recommendation on the professionalisation of public procurement' to encourage EU countries to take steps to support the career development of contracting authorities. These recommendations highlighted the need for training and career management of public procurement practitioners, as well as providing tools to make the procurement process more efficient (e.g. e-procurement tools, guidelines, templates). 

This webinar will explore the training programmes, career development support and tools that exist at the EU and National level to aid public buyers. By examining lessons learned from these programmes and projects, the webinar will highlight what else can be done to mainstream the public procurement profession. It will also show how formalising the work of public buyers can also help to make public spending more efficient.

The webinar will first showcase initiatives and projects at the EU level that support public buyers. Then panellists will present best practice examples from Malta, Estonia and Portugal, showcasing the tangible benefits of these endeavours.

Speakers:

• Welcome and Introduction from the EU GPP Helpdesk: Ivan Azevedo, Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission
• Lessons learned from Technical Support Instrument (TSI) projects on professionalisation of public procurement personnel – fostering strategic methodologies, integrity and transparency: Aleksandra Marchewka, Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support, European Commission
• European initiatives and projects to support public procurement professionals: Marta Toporek, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW), European Commission
• Professionalising the public procurement workforce and strengthening the public procurement system in Malta: Lorraine Mangion Duca, Department of Contracts (DOC) within the Ministry of Finance and Employment
• GPP training in Estonia: Sandra Oisalu, Baltic Environmental Forum
• GPP training in Portugal: Paula Trindade, National Laboratory of Energy and Geology (LNEG)

Host: Helena O’Rourke-Potocki, ICLEI Europe.

Date & time: Thursday 7 March 2024 from 14:00 to 15:30 (CET).

Organiser: ICLEI Europe, on behalf of the European Commission (DG Environment).

Language: English

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Registration: Prior registration is essential. Participation is free of charge. Register by visiting: https://iclei-events.webex.com/weblink/register/reb41b31e96c26b7a4a812c4c688e7959