Partnership on Innovative and Responsible Public Procurement
Urban Agenda
Since 2025, SERN has been a member of the Urban Agenda Partnership on Innovative and Responsible Public Procurement (UAPP), one of the thematic partnerships under the Urban Agenda for the EU.
This Partnership brings together cities, regions, EU Member States, European institutions, and expert organisations to promote innovative and responsible public procurement practices. It aims to address complex urban challenges and support the sustainable development of European cities through smarter and more strategic procurement.
What is the Urban Agenda Partnership on Public Procurement?
The Partnership was launched in 2017 under the Urban Agenda for the EU, recognising the significant impact that public procurement can have on sustainability, innovation, and economic development at the local level.
Its mission is to:
Enhance the use of public procurement as a strategic tool for cities and public authorities
Facilitate the exchange of good practices, policies, and methodologies
Build capacity and empower public buyers to adopt innovative approaches
Improve regulations and funding mechanisms related to procurement at EU and national levels
With more than 30 active partners and associates from across Europe, the Partnership supports cooperation, learning, and advocacy to turn procurement into a driver of positive change.
Why SERN joined the Partnership
SERN decided to join the Partnership to advance a shared ambition: using public procurement not just as a technical procedure, but as a strategic policy tool to tackle local and European challenges.
Our reasons for joining include:
Strategic Leverage: Public procurement is key to fostering innovation, environmental sustainability, and social value in local communities.
Policy Coherence: Procurement is a means to implement policy goals and create more inclusive and resilient territories.
Shared Ambitions: Many of our members are already exploring innovative and responsible procurement practices.
European Engagement: The Partnership is a valuable forum to connect with peers and shape the future of procurement at EU level.
The challenges we face
By joining the Partnership, SERN seeks to address several structural and cultural barriers that continue to limit the strategic use of public procurement within our member municipalities. Many of these municipalities, especially small and medium-sized ones, lack sufficient professionalisation in procurement. Procurement processes are often handled in a strictly administrative manner, without the strategic vision needed to deliver broader social or environmental goals.
In addition, limited resources and staff capacity pose significant obstacles. Few local authorities have personnel trained in sustainable or innovative procurement methods, making it difficult to integrate such approaches into everyday practice. These technical limitations are compounded by cultural factors: organisational inertia and a general aversion to risk often slow down innovation and hinder change. To unlock the full potential of public procurement, a shift is needed, one that involves leadership commitment, investment in training, and greater flexibility within public administrations.
What the Partnership brings to SERN
SERN’s participation in the Urban Agenda Partnership brings meaningful opportunities to overcome these challenges and support long-term transformation at local level. Through joint activities, peer exchange, and collaborative tools, the Partnership strengthens capacity building efforts across our network. Municipalities are empowered to develop the skills and knowledge needed to adopt procurement as a strategic lever for innovation and public value.
Moreover, the Partnership opens the door to new European connections. By engaging with cities, networks, and experts from across the continent, SERN members can expand their perspectives, share experiences, and access pioneering practices. This exchange translates into concrete local benefits, helping turn procurement into a catalyst for sustainable and inclusive change.
Finally, the Partnership provides a platform for influencing policy debates at EU level. By participating in working groups and contributing to joint outputs, SERN ensures that the voice of small and medium-sized municipalities is heard in discussions on regulatory frameworks and the future of procurement in Europe.
Our objective is to increase cooperation among the
members of the network, between Italy and Sweden
and, more in general, the North and South of
the European Union.
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