Case studies on the impact of COVID-19 on public procurement practices in Europe

In a post COVID-19 pandemic phase, cities will have think differently about how to approach economic development and associated strategies. These must be socially and health-conscious and should be carried out with a strong focus on mitigating the effects of climate change. The process of public procurement is part of a new approach to economic development and can be used as a way of achieving such social, environmental, and health goals.

How have cities changed their procurement approach as a result of COVID-19? How are they linking the process to wider social, health and environmental challenges? The Urban Agenda for the EU Partnership for Innovative and Responsible Public Procurement along with various organisations (e.g URBACT funded Making Spend Matter Transfer Network, Eurocities) collected information to these questions. The research, performed across EU Member States’ cities, was used as foundation to evaluate how European cities have changed their public procurement approach as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report contains multiple case studies portraying the impact of COVID-19 on public procurement practices. The case studies outline trends in public procurement that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic and reflect on possible implications for post-COVID-19 times. They offer insight on how cities can capitalise on the new trends to make public procurement greener, more sustainable, and serving to the wider community. 

In this manner, the case studies could provide a basis for work related to supporting research activities across the EU Member States as to how cities are responding to COVID-19 from a procurement perspective. In addition, the case studies show how cities are linking this to the creation of a new type of economy, which is socially responsible and low carbon.

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