Circular economy for green and sustainable public procurement

By implementing the project, we wanted to fight climate change through ‘circular’ public procurement. We wanted to provide officials and managers of European local authorities more knowledge, expe...

By implementing the project, we wanted to fight climate change through ‘circular’ public procurement. We wanted to provide officials and managers of European local authorities more knowledge, expertise and competences to obtain more sustainable procedures, aimed at incorporating circular economy principles into the procedures they manage. It was necessary to give them a clear framework of the Eu law about circular economy and public procurement. The path towards circular procurement is not only about legislation, attitudes and mindsets must be changed. We wanted to contribute to a new way of thinking and designing public procurement is needed, leading public authorities to develop internal procedures that incorporate the principles of the circular economy. In addition to legislation, it is necessary to learn from good practices, inspiring success stories and positive examples implemented in EU countries. We wanted to provide public officials with guidelines and tools that can be used for more informed choices in procurement planning. To make a concrete change in the daily work of procurement officials, it was important to provide practical tools that can be easily used in the planning phase of procedures. These tools are includ

Circular economy aims to minimize waste and make the most of resources. By focusing on reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products, the circular economy helps reduce environmental impact, conserve resources, and create sustainable economic growth. The EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy has established a concrete and ambitious program of actions. It proposes actions to keep resources in the economy and retain the value of these resources, which will contribute towards delivery of a sustainable, low carbon, resource efficient and competitive economy. This plan recognizes public procurement as a key driver in the transition towards the circular economy. Public procurement is estimated to account for 15-20% of global GDP, placing it at the forefront of shaping the model of local economies. This means that it has a high potential to facilitate the transition to circular economy. When civil servants in the public sector engage with potential suppliers during procurement processes, they can play an important role in encouraging the suppliers to adopt more circular practices. This will aid in directing public finances towards a wider adoption of circular solutions.

Coordination transnational project meetings TPM; Survey on the starting situation; Elaboration of Guidelines for civil servant; Seminar for the presentation of the pilot version of the guidelines ; Multiplier events in Finland, Italy and Spain