The CE-PRINCE partnership has officially launched a groundbreaking Transnational Strategy for Circular Green Public Procurement (C/GPP) aimed at strengthening sustainability and circularity practices in public procurement across Central Europe. The Strategy provides a general framework of objectives that can potentially be applied across all sectors. As the project has chosen to focus its practical activities on the agri-food, manufacturing, construction and tourism sectors, the Strategy also covers these four sectors, with upcoming transnational action plans closely tied to them.
You can read the full Transnational Strategy here.
Public procurement in the EU accounts for nearly 14% of GDP. When guided by environmental and circular criteria, it becomes a powerful tool to drive systemic change. The C/GPP Strategy is designed to unlock this potential by embedding circular economy principles into procurement processes, supporting public authorities and businesses in transitioning to more sustainable models.
Three Strategic Objectives
- Wider Adoption of Circular Procurement
Encouraging a broader integration of circular practices into public procurement to enhance market readiness, reduce implementation barriers, and foster transnational cooperation. - Development of Shared C/GPP Criteria
Supporting the creation of harmonized, transparent procurement frameworks that provide clarity for public buyers and enable private sector alignment with sustainability goals. - Skills and Culture for Sustainability
Promoting long-term behavioral change by strengthening the technical capacities of procurement officials and enterprises through targeted training and public-private partnerships.
Four Priority Sectors, One Circular Vision
While the Transnational Strategy sets out objectives that may be potentially applicable to all sectors, the CE-PRINCE projects focus its implementation activities in 4 key economic sectors:
Agri-Food: With food waste, packaging, and distribution at the core of circular transformation, the strategy supports the adoption of existing Green Public Procurement (GPP) criteria—especially in food services and vending machines—and encourages local sourcing, organic production, and partnerships with communities.
Manufacturing: As a sector contributing to nearly a quarter of the EU’s business economy turnover, manufacturing is essential to the green transition. The strategy identifies fragmentation in circular practices and addresses it by promoting renewable energy use, efficient resource management, and sustainable product design—particularly in electronics, textiles, packaging, and vehicles.
Construction: Representing 9% of the EU GDP and responsible for 35% of the region’s waste, construction is both a major environmental challenge and an opportunity. The strategy promotes resource-efficient design, use of sustainable materials, and collaborative innovation to drive circularity across the entire building lifecycle.
Tourism-Related Services and Goods: With a significant footprint and economic contribution, the tourism sector is urged to adopt circular solutions through sustainable procurement practices, community engagement, and localized supply chains.
Specific Action Plans for Public and Private Sectors
To ensure effective implementation, two dedicated Action Plans—tailored for public administrations and private enterprises are already under development. These Plans will provide structured, actionable roadmaps for embedding circular principles into procurement policies and business models.
A Collaborative, Scalable Approach
By aligning with EU-wide circular economy goals and leveraging synergies with national and international initiatives, the C/GPP Strategy aims to become a model for sustainable procurement transformation in Central Europe and beyond.
“This strategy is the beginning of a cultural shift towards a sustainable future where public demand and private innovation go hand in hand,” said Sara Piana, Project Manager of CE-PRINCE. “Through collaboration, clarity, and capacity-building, we can drive real circular change in the heart of Europe’s economy.”