The European conference Public Procurement of Innovation: Facing Societal Challenges, Delivering Better Public Services & Supporting SMEs to Innovate, will engage around 250 innovation actors from across Europe, including public procurers, policy makers, SME representatives and the European Commission. The event will be held in Turin (Italy) from 27 – 28 June 2011.

On the afternoon of Tuesday 28 June the SCI-Network will host two sessions looking at innovative and sustainable construction procurement in the public sector. Innovative products and services offer a huge opportunity to improve public services and aid businesses. The European Commission intends to provide guidance and to set up a financial support mechanism to help contracting authorities to implement procurement of innovation, pre-commercial procurement (PCP) and first commercial procurement (FCP).

This European conference, held under the patronage of the Vice President of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani, will be an opportunity for public authorities to discuss existing best practice in procuring innovation and to learn more about future funding schemes, with particular regard to the next EU Structural funds financial period. Participants will be addressed by high level speakers and also get a chance to engage in more practical talks. Funding is available for public authorities to join the conference.

For more information, click here.