PUBLIC PROCUREMENT NEWS

  

News

17 December 2013

EcoProcura 2014 looks to take procurement forward

Sustainability, innovation and cost efficiency in procurement will be the focus of the 2014 EcoProcura conference, which is set to take place in the City of Ghent (Belgium) from 24-26 September. The conference will provide a thought-provoking programme that will empower local authorities to improve their procurement processes. EcoProcura 2014 is the ninth conference of this series and will engage with procurers from all levels of government, policy-makers, suppliers and representatives from the European Commission and European Parliament.

Specifically, the conference will explore obstacles against mainstreaming sustainable procurement, what the new European Public Procurement Directives mean for sustainable procurement and procurement of innovation in practice, how public procurement can stimulate innovation, and what legal and practical aspects should be considered when undertaking a dialogue between public procurers and business. Interaction will also be a major part of this year’s conference, allowing participants to share their opinions, experiences and ideas.

Plenary sessions will provide a dialogue between speakers and participants, break-out sessions will focus on specific procurement processes, and the Market Lounge will see roundtables of six to eight people discuss challenges. An exhibition area will also be present with material on various procurement initiatives. This edition will also see the first “Meet the Buyers” event, in which public procurers will have the opportunity to meet leading business representatives in an informal setting.

For more information, click here.