The sessions explored both strategic and practical dimensions of circular procurement, including:
- How to integrate circular economy principles into policy frameworks and public procurement procedures, particularly in the agri-food sector
- The role of data management and availability (e.g. origin, supply chains, sustainability indicators) in supporting informed and transparent procurement decisions
- Development of harmonised criteria, standards and evaluation systems to improve comparability and implementation across regions
- Ways to strengthen regional food value chains by linking public demand with local and sustainable production
- Identification of key barriers, such as legal and administrative constraints, fragmented data systems, and limited institutional capacity
- Exchange of practical experiences, best practices and stakeholder perspectives to support real-life implementation
Main Takeaways
The discussions highlighted that public procurement is a powerful lever for driving sustainability and regional development. However, its effective implementation requires:
- Coordinated approaches and shared standards
- Improved data availability and comparability
- Stronger collaboration between public and private actors
- Continued capacity building and exchange of best practices
Looking Ahead
These activities contribute to building a stronger foundation for the uptake of circular procurement practices across Central Europe. By turning knowledge into practical solutions, CE-PRINCE supports the transition towards more sustainable, resilient and locally rooted economic systems.