The iProcureNet project aims to build an EU network of organisations centred on the procurement of security solutions through the appointed iProcureNet National Contacts (IPNCs), together with a larger community of people composed of individuals and experts interested in procurement. Via the established Network+Community, iProcureNet will facilitate collaboration and dialogue among procurers, enabling: i) coordinated sharing and analysis of procurement trends included in the investment plans, ii) development of common and standardised practices from the technical, legal and financial perspectives, and iii) establishing pathways for joint procurement (JP) of innovative and new to market solutions, research services, and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products in the field of security. iProcureNet will develop the iProcureNet Toolbox including a comprehensive methodology, guidelines and a knowledge database of current procurement practices and processes in Europe; and will create a firm foundation for the set-up of Established Buyers Groups (EBGs) – countries which, using the iProcureNet Toolbox, have found common ground and are ready to procure. Close collaboration with related PCP and PPI actions and the practitioner innovation networks will be a key component of the project. Ultimately, iProcureNet, will aim to create a stepping stone to future collaboration in the form of a future investment plan for collaborative procurement actions, and to develop detailed pro-innovation procurement strategies. The Network+Community will be supported by i) the iProcureNet Online Platform (IPOP) enabling professional social networking and online dialogue on good practices and procurers’ needs; ii) a sustainable organisational set-up composed of well organised bodies and processes, and iii) appropriate communication and dissemination activities including Annual Conferences, trainings and workshops. The consortium includes 15 partners, out of which 10 are procurement agencies.

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of hospitalisation in people over the age of 65 and carries a high cost to healthcare systems. It also exerts a significant economic toll on patients, their families and society in general; more the 15 million people are living with HF in Europe. Despite the considerable burden to human life and healthcare costs there has been scarce innovation in treatments in the past several decades: HF occurs mainly in the older population that may mistake symptoms as being the natural result of ageing and therefore not recognized until the condition has reached a severe stage. Poor management of HF increases the risk and frequency of acute episodes resulting in hospitalizations, poor quality of life and high burden on healthcare systems. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has evidenced that fearing to be infected, cardiovascular patients delay care. A state-of-the-art search indicated that that integrated care is crucial for improving the health care services, wellbeing and engagement through shared decision-making, education and support to self-management. Existing solutions are local and there is no common effective solution available in the market. Public procurers cannot go to open tender to deploy effective solutions for advanced heart failure. The TIQUE Consortium recognised Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) as the only way to stimulate the market to find a solution to the common problem. TIQUE will bring to the market new integrated care solutions implementing a predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory model of health care services for patients with heart failure. TIQUE will stimulate European industry to become a global leader in this innovative field. Use of PCP is of particular interest to the consortium members some of them are familiar with PCP and PPI and in using them strategically while others are new adopters. The consortium will proactively share PCP knowledge with the PiPPI and EURIPHI communities of practice.

CEPPI aims to build capacity in cities on how to achieve more sustainable energy solutions through a pro-innovation procurement approach (PPI) & to demonstrate this by selectively intervening in scheduled public tenders. The interventions will involve 5 cities with different economic & political situations & provide the case-based evidence for replication by others. The scale of energy demand in European cities is huge & as an ever greater percentage of citizens are living in urban areas. Some of the biggest city authorities consume over 1000GWh of energy every year to run their operations & it is estimated that the energy consumption of the whole city (the wider sphere of influence) could be at least 50 times that of the city authorities alone. Much of the investment in energy efficiency & renewable energy production has been based on project funding & there is an underexploited opportunity to achieve more systematic and progressive improvements through embedding PPI methodologies within the ongoing processes for the procurement of energy-intensive goods & services. CEPPI will demonstrate, through an action learning process, how forthcoming public tenders can be influenced to achieve a more sustainable energy outcome & build capacity amongst management & procurement professionals. The project will build on established relationships that have been developed between the five participating cities (Birmingham, Budapest, Castellon, Valencia, Wroclaw) through the Climate KIC. They will be mentored (by leading PPI and sustainable energy experts) through an action learning process that will build the short term knowledge and PPI capacity to reduce annual energy consumption by at least 33GWh. Energy & procurement foresight activities will provide the strategic direction to become both procurement & technological leaders for sustainable, energy-efficient cities. At least 80 individuals across the 5 cities will be introduced to innovation procurement methods.