Programme

The Dutch Sustainable Public Procurement congress (MVI congress), took place for the third time on the 3rd of October in Green Capital Nijmegen. Many exciting keynotes, presentations and interactive workshops were programmed (in Dutch), and the Dutch SPP prize was awarded. The congress was hosted by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and PIANOo, the Dutch Public Procurement Expertise Centre.

The MVI Congress ran all day and ontinued with the EcoProcura Conference in the afternoon.

For more information, click here. (In Dutch) 

Participants were welcomed to the 10th EcoProcura Conference, which marks 20 years of the conference series, and were joined with the MVI Congress participants. Dr. Bertrand Piccard, who flew around the world in a solar-powered aeroplane, kicked-off proceedings with an inspirational speech about changing mindsets and daring to do things differently.

EcoProcura 2014 explored ‘the opportunities and challenges of using procurement strategically’ and how procurement can be an instrument to achieve strategic goals of sustainable and innovative economies and societies. In 2017 the European Commission released a communication declaring that “public procurement is a strategic instrument”, but that “strategic procurement possibilities are not sufficiently used”.

High-profile presenters and panellists discussed and considered how procurement evolves as a tool to achieve strategic objectives. Do decision-makers realise the role and impacts that procurement can have towards meeting policy aims? Is procurement becoming more recognised as a professional role with skilled practitioners? Are procurement practitioners daring to ask for, and daring to do, sustainable, circular and innovation procurement? What do these developments mean for procurement as a function within cities and other organisations?

Get actionable insights from procurement leaders

EcoProcura brought together leading-edge innovators in procurement. These breakout sessions provided  opportunities for participants to learn about best practices and approaches for strategic procurement across key product and service sectors.

> Samenwerking met de markt (session in Dutch)

> The Dutch SPP approach: SPP as an instrument to contribute to realising policy objectives

> The Green Deal for sustainable civil engineering:  a key driver for circular transition

> Procurement as a transformation tool for energy markets

> Procurement on the move: achieving sustainable mobility

> The building blocks of sustainability: procuring bio-based materials and other circular solutions for construction

> Sustainable from farm to fork: transforming catering and food procurement

Participants had the chance to see how procuring strategically can be done in action! Discussion on procuring strategically from earlier plenary sessions and the approaches covered in breakout sessions, were brought together to finish Day 1 with examples from procurement frontrunners. Participants found out how the Netherlands and the City of Barcelona have both used procurement to strategically meet policy aims and objectives. 

The Welcome Reception provided an excellent opportunity to network, catch up with old friends and colleagues, as well as meet new people. Participants were welcomed by Harriet Tiemens, Deputy Mayor of Nijmegen and enjoed an evening of drinks and canapés.

Location: De Vereeniging concert hall

Participants explored the 2018 European Green Capital a little further! Enjoyed the sights of Nijmegen and continued the conversations with friends and colleagues. Participants had a choice of activity, with something for everyone:

1) Nijmegen European Green Capital – Walking tour
2) Nijmegen European Green Capital – Biking tour
3) Room for the Waal River - Boat tour
4) Honigcomplex – Cultural tour

For more information, click here.

Making procurement more strategic can be subject to a number of barriers, whether real or perceived. But perhaps the biggest opportunity to increased sustainability and innovation, and the professionalisation of procurement, is empowering the people who need to make it happen. Is managing personalities just as important as managing systems and methods? How can a public sector organisation get started in changing hearts and minds? What are the ways to ensure that an organisation has the right mix of people, the correct procedures in place and the support mechanisms to enable procurers to think and act more strategically? Get inspired by how others have dared to create behavioural change in their organisations.

Presentations are wonderful, but nothing beats the up-close and personal conversation you get in a group of six to eight like-minded, procurement-passionate peers. These discussion sessions have been at the heart of our events since the first EcoProcura and have always been popular. Don't miss out on the best way to share procurement experiences, tools, good practice, processes, research, projects and initiatives.

For the full programme of market lounge tables, click here.

Get actionable insights from procurement leaders

EcoProcura brings together leading-edge innovators in procurement. These sessions focus on the initiatives, approaches, good practice and tools that can support sustainable, circular, innovation and strategic procurement, with an underlying thread of organisational culture and behavioural change.

> Measuring the effect of SPP

> Innovate, integrate, motivate: inspiring people to do innovation procurement

> The challenge of change: sustainable finance and procurement

> High risk category procurement — increase supply chain sustainability through purchasing

> Global perspectives: Connecting municipalities around the globe for sustainable public procurement

> Supporting local economies and communities through social procurement

Meet the pioneers and innovators pushing the boundaries of procurement!

Presenters will take to the stage to propose disruptive and potential game changing ideas that could take procurement into a strategic future. Using a speed presentation format, this fun and competitive session will see contributors bidding to win the best idea. 

Come join us at Saint Stevens Church, Nijmegen.
Evening festivities include the 2018 Procura+ Awards ceremony, celebrating the Sustainable Procurement of the Year, Innovation Procurement of the Year and Procurement Initiative of the Year.

For more information, click here.

Confess your procurement mistakes and tell us how you overcame them! It is our ability to learn from failure that often leads to greater success. Presentations from real-life procurers will be followed by the chance to discuss your own procurement mistakes and learning experiences with others in the room. This is a session about trial and error, and being brave!   

Presentations are wonderful, but nothing beats the up-close and personal conversation you get in a group of six to eight like-minded, procurement-passionate peers. These discussion sessions have been at the heart of our events since the first EcoProcura and have always been popular. Don't miss out on the best way to share procurement experiences, tools, good practice, processes, research, projects and initiatives. 

For the full programme of market lounge tables, click here.

Stay ahead of the procurement curve

This dynamic final plenary will bring together all the key innovations and ideas from the conference and consider what is next for the future. How can we, as a room of procurement-passionate people, make it happen in reality? Gain expert insights, voice your own thoughts and discover what the 'Dutch Dare' is! 

Please choose from one of the following study tours:

1) Sustainability policies on university campus: Explore the sustainable plans and strategies of Radboud University 

2) Windpark Nijmegen: Find out more about how community owned renewable energy is powering municipalities from the Arnhem-Nijmegen region

3) Sustainable buildings, Nijmegen: Learn about how Nijmegen hope to reach their energy goals through sustainable buildings

For more information, click here.