Can cities consider the environment when making purchases without automatically paying more? In the GRIP project, together with the City of Košice and partners from Oslo and Aachen, we looked for the answer in practice.
At Creative Industry Košice (CIKE), we were an important partner of the city in finding new solutions for green procurement. We connected the city with experts, led working discussions and helped develop the knowledge and skills of people involved in procurement. Our first step was to find out how organisations make purchases and what prevents them from using green criteria in practice.
There is interest in change. What matters is knowing how to make it happen
The organisations involved in the survey relied primarily on the lowest price when procuring. However, several of them expressed interest in taking part in pilot activities or expert groups. It became clear that there is a willingness to purchase differently – people need to know how to make the change safely and practically.
We followed up on these needs with three working workshops. Together with representatives of the city, municipal organisations and external experts, we:
- discussed the barriers to green procurement,
- prepared priorities for the coming years,
- verified whether the materials being developed would be usable in real procurement processes.
The pilot procurement of IT equipment already provided practical experience. The winning bid met the environmental requirements, included an extended warranty and its price was lower than the estimated value of the contract.
Three interconnected tools
The findings from the survey, working meetings and pilot were transformed into practical outputs. In cooperation with experts, three tools were created that connect the starting point with the planning and preparation of specific procurement procedures.
Feasibility Study: where we are starting
It describes the initial situation and captures the experience from the pilot procurement of IT equipment.
Green and Circular Procurement Roadmap for 2026–2030: where we are heading
It sets out the next steps in four areas: IT, cleaning products and services, road construction, and the renovation or construction of buildings.
Manual – Methodological Guide: how to proceed with procurement
It helps translate plans into procurement specifications. It includes sample provisions, environmental criteria and options for verifying them. It also covers life-cycle costs and provides guidance on preliminary market consultations.
A short project video also explains how the guide was created and how it can be used.
The next step will lead to specific procurement procedures
We shared the experience from Košice during study visits to Oslo and Aachen as well as at professional events abroad. The important step now is to put the results into further practice.
Using the tools that have been developed, the city is preparing another green procurement process. This will test how the approach works in other areas as well – and how the prepared documents can support specific purchasing decisions.
A short project video explains how the manual was created, what preceded its development and how it can help with green procurement in practice.
Financed by the European Union.