The Big Buyers Programme is a European Commission initiative for promoting collaboration between big public buyers in implementing strategic public procurement. The Programme is at it’s third reiteration so far: Big Buyers Working Together.
Through the initiative, Eurocities helps cities rethink their approach to buying goods and services. For example, if a city is planning to buy new rubbish collection vehicles, why not specify in the tender that these must not use unsustainable fuel sources? That way, your normal buying processes can also contribute to local environmental goals. In this way, public procurement can be a key tool in driving innovation in the European market.
By working together and pooling their resources, cities, central purchasing bodies, and other major public procurers can maximise their market power and impact. The initiative presents a compelling opportunity to engage with other public authorities across Europe and to shape new innovative solutions to your procurement needs.
Big Buyers Working Together (2023-2027)
The Big Buyers Working Together project currently has ten communities of practice, generating insights around the following topics:
- Zero emission construction sites
- Heavy-duty electric vehicles
- Circular Construction
- Sustainable solar panels
- Mobility
- Digital
- Social
- New European Bauhaus
- Healthcare Efficiency
- Healthcare Sustainability
Big Buyers for Climate and Environment (2020-2022)
The previous phase, the Big Buyers for Climate and Environment, explored some of these procurement areas, notably zero-emissions construction sites, heavy-duty electric vehicles and circular construction materials. As a result, the Big Buyers has already helped push the market position in key areas. For example, the working group on zero emission construction sites produced factsheets for policymakers, businesses, and citizens, and the group on heavy duty vehicles produced a joint statement of demand along with a publicly available list of electric heavy-duty vehicles.
Read the outcomes from Big Buyers for Climate and Environment.
The Big Buyers Initiative (2019-2020)
The Big Buyers Programme pilot phase provided support to three areas of collaboration focusing on Circular Construction Materials, Heavy-duty Electric Vehicles and Zero-emission Construction Sites.
The ambitious participants jointly announced their procurement plans and shared key takeaways, including tender criteria from pilot procurements.
