The first edition of the European Innovation Procurement Awards has now become reality and the call for public and private procurers is open. It recognises powerful cases of public and private buyers using innovation procurement practices across Europe and emphasises the importance of close buyer–supplier cooperation in bringing innovative solutions to market.

The prize supports the community of European procurers to share, work together and inspire each other in the design of innovative procurement processes, and particularly in the delivery of modern and efficient public services.

The 2021 edition features three categories:

• “Innovation procurement strategy” award, which rewards long-term strategies that trigger different innovation procurements, sustainable solutions and practices;
• “Facing societal challenges” award that rewards innovative procurement practise aimed to face the COVID-19 pandemic;
• “Procurement leadership” award that recognises outstanding individual(s) who empower(s) their team to succeed and trigger innovation procurement practices.

Each category will reward the winner with EUR 75 000 and one runner-up with EUR 25 000. The application period closes on 29 July.

More information about the award can be found here.