Across Europe, local governments use their purchasing power to support innovation, promote sustainability, strengthen public services and create positive impact in communities. But current EU procurement rules are often too complex, rigid and resource-intensive, limiting cities’ ability to act strategically.
In its position paper on the revision of the EU Public Procurement Directives, Eurocities calls for a simpler and more flexible framework that helps public buyers deliver public value.
Key messages
- Simplify procurement rules by reducing administrative burdens, increasing flexibility and supporting public buyers with stronger capacity and digital tools.
- Enable, rather than mandate, sustainable procurement, allowing cities to include social and environmental criteria based on local needs and transition goals.
- Support innovation by giving cities greater flexibility to adapt contracts as innovative solutions evolve.
- Recognise local realities, making it easier to support local services, short supply chains, renewable energy and continuity in essential care services.
- Explore a flexible ‘Buy European’ principle that strengthens European competitiveness while avoiding unnecessary complexity.
- Reward quality and good performance, giving cities better tools to exclude poor-performing suppliers and recognise suppliers that deliver long-term public value.
The revision should create a procurement framework that not only safeguards competition and transparency, but also enables cities to accelerate Europe’s green transition, strengthen local economies and deliver better outcomes for residents.
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