Driving Innovation in Procurement: EUIPA Awards
The European Commission has launched the highly anticipated third edition of the European Innovation Procurement Awards (EUIPA), a prestigious event supported by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under Horizon Europe. With a strong focus on public and private buyers, as well as individuals and organisations championing innovation procurement and solutions, this year's awards aim to highlight the transformative power of procurement in driving sustainable markets and addressing societal challenges, particularly climate change.
Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, emphasised the importance of leveraging the public sector's role as a lead customer to shape markets, deliver accessible services, attract private investment, and provide crucial opportunities for innovative start-ups. Gabriel expressed enthusiasm for the European Innovation Procurement Awards, which will once again spotlight trailblazers in public and private innovation procurement, inspiring similar successful efforts throughout the European Union.
The competition will recognise outstanding achievements in two categories: Innovation Procurement Initiative and Facing Societal Challenges - "Green Energy Transition." A total of six prizes will be awarded, including one winner (1st place) in each category receiving €75,000 (US$82,000), one runner-up (2nd place) receiving €50,000 (US$55,000), and another runner-up (3rd place) receiving €25,000 (US$27,000).
To determine the winners and runners-up, the judging panel will evaluate submissions based on the following criteria:
- Transformation: The extent to which procurement practices embrace innovation, leading to sustainable and inclusive growth.
- Uptake: The replicability and scalability of innovative procurement practices, contributing to more efficient and effective solutions.
- Collaboration: Demonstrated cooperation among stakeholders, fostering synergies, promoting best practices, and supporting capacity building, skill development, and knowledge sharing across different territories and maturity levels in innovation procurement.
- Societal Impact: Quantitative and qualitative impact on society, with a particular focus on advancing green deal and digital transformation priorities.
The competition is open to all public and private buyers, natural persons, and legal entities in EU Member States and Associated Countries to Horizon Europe who have implemented or are currently engaged in procurement practices meeting the defined criteria.
Submissions must pertain to initiatives launched after January 1, 2018, ensuring a contemporary and dynamic field of contenders.
The European Innovation Procurement Awards serve as a platform to recognise exceptional procurement practices that go beyond traditional methods and generate substantial positive change.
By celebrating and disseminating these exemplary efforts, the awards encourage the wider adoption of innovative procurement practices, fostering sustainable economic growth and addressing pressing societal challenges across Europe.
