Bio-based solutions in Public Procurement

Bio-based solutions in Public Procurement: Are they the way forward to support a circular bioeconomy?

Part of the Bioregions webinar series on innovative approaches towards a forest-based circular bioeconomy

Public procurement can serve as a powerful tool to address the three pillars of Sustainable Development, and to speed up the market uptake of more sustainable products and services. Local governments and public institutions have major purchasing power and thus have the potential to influence the market. However, much more can be done to mainstream circular, bio-based and nature-based solutions.

How can regional public procurement better support the development of circular forest-based bioeconomy? 

To answer this question, the Bioregions Facility has recently launched a survey to identify barriers, opportunities and successful examples on bio-based procurement across Europe. Results of the survey will be presented and discussed with key actors working towards the green transition of public procurement. Join us to learn about concrete examples and successful initiatives, discuss ways forwards and solutions to overcome existing barriers and take away recommendations for further actions towards bio-based solutions in public procurement to support a circular bioeconomy. 

After a formal opening by representatives of the Bioregions Facility (EFI and the Basque Country), the webinar will be structured as a roundtable discussion with key experts. Please find the full programme of the webinar here. 

Panelist will react to and discuss the findings of the Bioregions survey on “Green Public Procurement, Opportunities for Bio-based Solutions" . Our panelists are:

·       Lidia Capparelli,  Responsible for Green Public Procurement at Consip (the central purchasing body of Italy) since 2007. Member of the PAN GPP Management Committee. Member of the European Advisory Group on GPP. Project manager of several European projects on GPP. 

·       Martin Scherpenisse, Senior policy specialist for purchasing & tendering - Province Zeeland, Netherlands.    

·       Oriana Romano, Head of Unit, Water Governance and Circular Economy, Cities, Urban Policies, and Sustainable Development Division, Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities.

This event is organised by the Bioregions Facility in cooperation with the Basque Country, North Karelia and North Rhine Westphalia.

The European Forest Institute, together with leading European regions in the field of bioeconomy, established the Bioregions Facility to support this transition and to foster the development of forest bioeconomy at both regional and European level. The Bioregions Facility supports innovation, networking, and policy learning, and develops joint strategies and actions.