Ref. Ares(2024)4740527 - 01/07/2024
EUROPEAN INNOVATION COUNCIL AND SMES
EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EISMEA)
Innovation Ecosystems, SMP/Entrepreneurship and Consumers
SMP/SME Pillar, Internal Market and Support to Standardisation
Brussels
EISMEA.I.02.2/ABP
Subject: Strategic procurement training for centralised procurement organisations.
Applying for the training programme PPE+ Europe 2024
Dear Sir, / Dear Madam,
The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) under the
powers delegated by the European Commission, signed a contract of 4 years for the
implementation of the training programme PPE+ Europe 2024 – “Strategic
procurement training for centralised procurement organisations”. Funded under the
Single Market Programme/SME Pillar, the project is designed and implemented by the
Austrian Federal Procurement Agency BBG, ICLEI Europe and EY Romania.
The project consortium leverages the strengths of a well-established and successful Central
Purchasing Body (CPB) alongside a city network experienced in public procurement. It
features internationally renowned trainers to ensure state-of-the-art knowledge transfer and
expert teaching in modern public procurement. An international team of professors and
experts from across Europe will contribute to blending practical and theoretical
approaches. Additionally, the consortium offers tailored one-on-one support for public
buyers seeking to implement the program’s insights, through a series of consultancy
services led by EY.
Public procurement, representing 14% of the EU GDP, is a critical element of the
investment ecosystem. In light of recent and current global challenges, such the COVID-
19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, public authorities must use procurement strategically
to ensure better value for public spending and achieve rapid, efficient, sustainable, and
innovative procurement.
The PPE+ Europe 2024 programme covers essential topics, enabling participants to
develop SME-friendly tendering strategies, encourage environmental and social
sustainability as well as foster innovative procurement. Participation in this programme
can significantly enhance your organisation's procurement practices, making them more
contemporary and SME-oriented.
European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), B-1049 Brussels, BELGIUM
Office: SB34 03/DCS – Tel. direct line +32 229-50193
The programme is intended for employees working for large public buyers (CPBs) or staff
with policy, regulatory, or control functions in public procurement in EU Member States
and SMP participating countries.1
We encourage you to seize this opportunity to invest in the professionalisation of your
organisation and staff. To apply for this training programme, please visit the programme’s
community page on the Public Buyers Community platform. For any questions, please
contact the project implementation team at
[email protected]. Places are
limited and application for the programme is opened until 21 August 2024.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Yours faithfully,
Electronically signed
Natalia Martínez Páramo
Head of Unit I-02
1
list-3rd-country-participation_smp_en.pdf (europa.eu)
2
Electronically signed on 01/07/2024 16:19 (UTC+02) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121
Strategic Procurement Training for
Centralised Procurement Organisations
1
Shaping Modern Public Procurement!
organisations from EU Member States and Single Market
Professionalisation and collaboration are key factors in successfully
Programme (SMP) participating countries.
overcoming the many challenges of achieving value for money in
public procurement. Issues and risks in the areas of supply chains, The training programme offers a unique combination of practical and
market structures, prices as well as climate change aspects require a broad academic approaches and participants can benefit from the
range of competences and expertise. At the same time, we are extensive knowledge and experience of the consortium as well
responsible for the most efficient and legally compliant use of public as other international experts in the field of modern public
funds. procurement. This includes practical exercises and use cases as
well as tools, methods and templates used for daily work
The very positive response to the former European training programmes
routines.
Public Procurement Excellence (PPE) 2018 - 2023 from all participants
and stakeholders, as well as the demand for further training, show the A new component of the training programme is the possibility
continued relevance and importance of professionalisation in the field for participating organisations to apply for individual support
of public procurement. service packages (up to 60 hours) to initiate and assist
transformation projects based on the knowledge and expertise
Therefore, the Austrian Federal Procurement Agency (BBG) and its
acquired through the programme.
partners are honoured and delighted to announce the continuation of
this training programme – the PPE+ Europe 2024-2028!
It is initiated and funded by the European Commission and implemented We are looking forward to welcoming you to the first edition of
by a consortium led by Austrian Federal Procurement Agency (BBG) the new training programme: PPE+ Europe 2024.
together with Ernst & Young Romania (EY) and ICLEI – Local
Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) and it is dedicated to the further The Team of PPE+ Europe
professionalisation of public procurement experts from Central
Purchasing Bodies (CPBs) and other centralised procurement
2
Training Programme for Certified
Public Procurement Experts
THE PROGRAMME THE TARGET GROUP
The new PPE+ Europe training programme offers a unique › EEA countries and SMP countries1
combination of an academic and a practical approach. The goal › Personnel working either in a CPB (operational at national, regional, or
is to provide state-of-the art knowledge, tools, and methods for sectorial level), in an institution that currently is in a transformational
modern public procurement, including policy objectives like process to function as a CPB, or staff working in regulatory or policy
SME-friendly, green, and innovative procurement. Additionally, in- making departments in charge of aggregated public procurement.
depth training modules on topics including Food, Security & › Experienced public procurement staff (operational staff /
Defence, Health & Medical and ICT procurement are offered. executive staff) with minimum 3 years of professional
working experience.
Special attention is given to the development of competencies › Individuals with Upper-Intermediate level of English.
that allow for the facilitation of effective and sustainable
transfer of knowledge within organisations. Participants THE STRUCTURE
benefit from extensive knowledge and experience of the
consortium and other relevant European Central Purchasing Bodies › The training programme comprises 31 training days and is planned
to be held in on-site and online modes. The following structure is
(CPBs) and public procurement experts. Together with lecturers from
currently envisaged, more information will be provided to
the Vienna University of Economics and Business and international
applicants upon acceptance to the programme. Main structure:
universities they form a unique teaching team.
› Block 1 (on-site - Vienna): 2024, Calendar Week 45+46
› Block 2 (online): 2024, Calendar Week 48+49
Working in public procurement means managing different –
› Block 3 (online): 2025, Calendar Week 3+4
sometimes even contradictory – requirements and challenges.
› 2 x In-depth (online): 2025, Calendar Week 7-9
The public procurement professionals define the conditions for
› Block 4 (on-site - Brussels): 2025, Calendar Week 12
the most efficient and legally compliant use of public funds and
› Agile Leadership (3-day asynchronous module between
at the same time contribute to the realisation of socio-political Calendar Week 50 and Calendar Week 2)
objectives. Knowledge of a wide range of disciplines is therefore › Final PPE+ Europe conference in Q1 2028 (1 day)
required, e.g. law, product and market expertise, technical know-
how and socio-political objectives as well as project management › Training Times:
and effective communication and stakeholder management. › On-site: Monday – Friday, 8 hours per day,
Procurers must be able to balance all these disciplines to create › Online: Monday – Friday, 4 hours per day
meaningful tendering strategies.
THE VENUE
Furthermore, the training programme will encourage
On-site blocks will take place in Vienna, Austria and Brussels, Belgium
networking activities by admitting participants to an already
established PPE Alumni Network.
THE TEACHING LANGUAGE
A new component of the training programme is the possibility
for participating organisations to apply for individual support English
service packages (remote - up to 60 hours) to initiate and assist
transformation projects based on the knowledge and expertise
acquired through the training programme (e.g. improving
procurement processes and organisational practices etc.).
A final Closing Conference in 2028 will give the participants of
all four training rounds the opportunity to meet with all PPE+
Europe Alumni, best practitioners in public procurement,
representatives of the European Commission and other
relevant stakeholders.
1
list-3rd-country-participation_smp_en.pdf
3
Training Modules
Care has been taken to provide a well-balanced and engaging curriculum for participants. An overview of the programme and the individual
modules comprising it can be found below. For each training programme a total of two In-depth modules will be delivered to participants
depending on their professional interests and background.
loc 1
2 ee s
onsi e
( ienna)
loc 2
2 ee s
online
nline odule 18 Agile Leadership (3 days asynchronous)
loc 3
2 ee s
online
nline n ep h ecuri y efence (2 days) nline n ep h (2 days)
nline n ep h eal h edical (2 days) nline n ep h Food (2 days)
loc
1 ee
onsi e
( russels)
4
Training Programme Details
FEE & FINA NCIN G
GRADUATIO N
› Programme is funded by the European Commission under the
› Certificate from WU Executive Academy
Single Market Programme
› Degree: Certified Public Procurement Expert (15 ECTS)
› No tuition fee
› All lectures and materials are included
BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPANTS
› For on-site trainings and final conference, accommodation
› Personal professional development and subsistence allowance rates are granted (Vienna and
› Expansion of specialist skills in the field of public procurement Brussels)
› Participation in sustainable and effective expert and alumni network › Individual Support Service Packages (remote – up to 60 hours) for
› Application and distribution of acquired know-how in their participating organisations are funded
organisation
› Eligibility to apply for individual Support Service Packages TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS
› Practical and academic input
› Interactive programme
› Peer-to-peer learning
› Learning from best practice and international experts
› Based on ProcurCompEU and the needs of the participants
APPLICATION CHECKLIS T
Applicants will be required to provide the
following documents/information during the
application process:
› Curriculum Vitae
› Letter of Motivation
› Letter of Support from the applican ’s management / employer
5
Information & Contact
Project Management by BBG
Bundesbeschaffung GmbH
Austrian Federal Procurement Agency
Lassallestraße 9b
1020 Vienna
[email protected]
www.bbg.gv.at
Application Management by ICLEI Europe
ICLEI - European Secretariat GmbH
Leopoldring 3
79098 Freiburg im Breisgau
Germany
[email protected]
www.iclei.org
All information provided in the brochure is
subject to misprints and changes.
This document has been prepared for the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). However, the information and views set
out in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of EISMEA or the European Commission. Neither EISMEA,
nor the European Union institutions and bodies or any person or organisation acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which might be
made of the information contained therein.
E-Mail-to:
[email protected]
Rahandusministeerium
Suur-Ameerika 1, 10122 Tallinn
Estonia
Vienna, 2 July 2024
NEW Training Programme PPE+ Europe 2024 -2028
“Strategic procurement training for centralised procurement organisations”
Dear Sir/Madam
As central procurement organisations we all face numerous challenges every single day. Latest global challenges,
such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have once again highlighted the importance of Central
Purchasing Bodies (CPBs). We must ensure that urgently required goods as well as services are purchased relia-
bly, that processes are efficient and transparent and supply chains are resilient.
At the same time, we are responsible for the most efficient and legally compliant use of public funds. On top of
that we face progressive changes in market conditions such as globalisation, digitalisation, industry 4.0, the re-
quirements to innovate, the acceleration of product cycles and the very need to give greater priority to socio-
political and green objectives.
In order to meet these ever-increasing demands, we need to strengthen the capacity of our employees so as to
develop SME-friendly tendering strategies, encourage environmental and social sustainability as well as to foster
innovative procurement.
To enhance and support professionalisation of public buyers, the European Commission has published recom-
mendations for Member States to ensure that public buyers possess the necessary business skills, technical
knowledge, and procedural understanding1.
The very positive response to the European training programmes for Public Procurement Excellence (PPE) 2018
- 2023 from all participants and stakeholders, as well as the demand for further training, show the continued
relevance and importance of professionalisation in the field of public procurement.
1 Professionalisation of public buyers - European Commission (europa.eu)
Bundesbeschaffung GmbH | Lassallestraße 9b, 1020 Wien
+43 1 245 70-0 |
[email protected] | www.bbg.gv.at
Gerichtsstand Wien | Handelsgericht Wien | FN 210220 y | UID: ATU55798907
Hypo Oberösterreich | IBAN: AT44 5400 0000 0070 5061 | BIC: OBLAAT2L
UniCreditBank Austria | IBAN: AT33 1200 0506 1909 0000 | BIC: BKAUATWW
Erste Bank | IBAN: AT69 2011 1824 1211 1401 | BIC: GIBAATWWXXX
Therefore, we are both honoured and happy to announce a new 4-year project, PPE+ Europe 2024-2028! The
project is funded by the European Commission and implemented by a consortium led by the Austrian Federal
Procurement Agency (BBG) together with Ernst & Young Romania (EY) and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sus-
tainability (ICLEI) and it is dedicated to the further professionalisation of public procurement experts from Central
Purchasing Bodies (CPBs).
The PPE+ Europe 2024 Training Programme
The project builds on the experience gained from previous training
Horizontal
programmes and practical expertise from other EU projects. An inter-
national team of procurement experts and professors from all over Pre-
01
Post-
Europe will support the project consortium in combining the practical Award 02 03 Award
Procurement
and theoretical training approach. Specific
----------------------------
04 Soft 05
The structure of the training programme covers both procurement
Personal People
specific and soft skills and is based on the overall procurement cycle 06
as well as the latest European Competency Framework for Public
Performance
Procurement Professionals (ProcurCompEU):
“Procurement-specific competences, which encompass the competences necessary at each stage of the public
procurement lifecycle.
Soft competences, which represent the soft skills public procurement professionals should have in order to master
procurement specific competences.”2
Figure 1: ProcurCompEU Competences
Training Programme Offer
• A well-balanced training programme through the recognition of the strategic role of procurement with
a special focus on strategic and SME-friendly public procurement.
• A unique combination of practical and academic approaches with trainers from well-established CPBs
in Europe and renowned professors from the Vienna University of Economics and Business and other
leading universities. Additionally, relevant stakeholders for important strategic topics like green, social
and innovation procurement will be involved as trainers and speakers.
• A mix of well-tested and newest training and learning methods to maximise the results in terms of
increasing knowledge, understanding public procurement, and addressing the challenges for partici-
pants and their organisations will be used.
• Another important aspect is to foster the concept of peer-to-peer learning: participants and lecturers
will share experiences with the group, discuss challenges and solutions as well as evaluate different
approaches and show cases.
2 ProcurCompEU– the European competency framework for public procurement professionals ProcurCompEU – the European competency
framework for public procurement professionals - European Commission (europa.eu)
• Participation in a sustainable and effective expert and alumni network that ensures a continuous ex-
change between CPBs and other participating organisations as well as effective implementation of the
newly acquired knowledge in the participants’ organisations.
• Additional in-depth modules to choose and further leveraged expertise in areas of interest.
• Upon completion of the course, the Vienna University of Economics and Business will accredit partici-
pants as “Certified Public Procurement Experts”.
• Participants will be granted 15 ECTS points for the course, allowing for universal recognition and com-
parability.
• NEW: Eligibility to apply for individual Consultancy Service Packages (up to 60 hours remote) for partic-
ipating organisations to trigger and support transformation projects based on acquired knowledge and
knowhow from the programme (e.g. improving procurement processes and organisational practices
etc.)
• Tuition fee as well as Consultancy Service Packages (up to 60 hours remote) are funded by the European
Commission under the SMP (Single Market Programme).
• For travel and accommodation costs of participants, travel cost as well as accommodation and subsist-
ence allowance rates are granted.
Training Programme Structure & Timeline
• Duration of the programme
o 31 training days which are conducted in two on-site and two main online blocks
• Training Location/Software
o On-site trainings are held in Vienna, Austria and Brussels, Belgium
o Online sessions will take place via MS Teams
• Training Block Structure
o Block 1 on-site (10 days), Vienna: 04 – 15 November 2024
o Block 2 on-line (10 half-days): 25 November - 06 December 2024
o Agile Leadership on-line (3 days asynchronous): 09 Dec 2024 – 10 January 2025
o Block 3 on-line (8 half-days): 13 – 24 January 2025
o 2 in-depth trainings on-line (4 half-days): 10 – 28 February 2025
o Block 4 on-site (5 days), Brussels: 17 – 21 March 2025
• Training Times
o On-site: Monday – Friday, 8 hours per day,
o On-line: Monday – Friday, 4 hours per day
• Participants will additionally work on their individual learning journal
Your Benefits
• Strengthen the capacity and competency of your staff;
• Meet EC requirements on further professionalisation of public procurement;
• Establish a network of Public Procurement Experts across Europe and exchange professional experience;
• Use a set of methods, tools, and templates for the implementation of most professional tender proce-
dures;
• Create a set of tangible key performance indicators allowing you to measure economic and qualitative
organisational improvements;
• Create return on investment – highly skilled staff contributes to successful business operations on a
daily basis;
• Participants will be equipped with a comprehensive toolbox of best practice tools, templates and meth-
odologies to enable their organisations to improve processes in various fields of Public Procurement.
• Have access to Consultancy Service Packages (up to 60 hours remote) for individual small organisational
projects
We are honoured to invite your organisation to the new edition of this well-established EU programme.
Please identify professionals in your institution who would benefit the most from this programme. Since the
number of participants is limited, we recommend that interested procurement professionals apply as soon as
possible. For details on the application process, please refer to the Public Buyers Community platform and the
project’s LinkedIn page.
Deadline for applications is 21 August 2024.
For further information or clarifications regarding the application process, please do not hesitate to send your
questions to
[email protected].
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Martin Ledolter, LL.M. Dipl. Kfm. Uwe Flach
Managing Director Head of Consulting, Organisational Development &
Bundesbeschaffung GmbH International Affairs, Bundesbeschaffung GmbH