Since 2019, ICLEI Members have joined forces in working groups – which also included other European cities – to advance sustainable procurement in the construction sector. Following the initiative's success, the European Commission has launched a follow-up programme called Big Buyers for Climate and Environment to promote collaboration amongst big public buyers in implementing strategic public procurement for sustainable solutions.

For this next phase, four further areas for joint collaboration will be established, based on the concrete needs and interest of public entities with respect to procuring new sustainable solutions that are not yet available on the market.

Public entities can express their interest in getting involved in the initiative by participating in a quick online survey where they can indicate on which products or services they will be focusing their procurement work in the next months, and what challenges they currently face.

Interested in joining and shaping this new effort? Then please complete the Needs Assessment by 13 January.

The programme's secretariat will analyse the results to see which areas, products and/or services generated the most interest. A series of follow-up interviews will take place throughout January 2021, and working groups will be established in early-2021 to collaborate for a period of two years.

Learn more about the follow-up programme during an informational webinar on Tuesday, 8 December from 9:30-10:30 CET. Click here to register.

ICLEI Europe and EUROCITIES manage the programme on behalf of the European Commission, DG Internal Market, Industry Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW).

For more information, click here or email info@bigbuyers.eu.

Don't forget to shape and join the Big Buyers for Climate and Environment programme today by completing the Needs Assessment by 13 January.