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BESA – Italian Campaign for the Buy European and Sustainable Act

BESA – Italian Campaign for the Buy European and Sustainable Act is a national initiative aimed at building political and public support for a revision of the EU Public Procurement Directive, with a focus on environmental and strategic priorities. The campaign advocates for the inclusion of geographical and environmental criteria in tender procedures to direct public spending toward sustainable production within Europe.

Led by Fondazione Ecosistemi, the project combines research, advocacy, communication, and network-building to promote procurement policies that accelerate both ecological and industrial transitions—while delivering economic, environmental, and social benefits.

Objectives

BESA seeks to:

  • Assess the impact of introducing BESA on Italy’s production system.
  • Build a national network of public authorities supportive of the initiative.
  • Strengthen political consensus at both national and EU levels.
  • Raise public awareness in Italy of the economic, environmental, and strategic benefits of a European sustainable procurement policy.

Main Activities
Il progetto prevede quattro linee di azione integrate:

  1. Industrial Transition Policies – Market analysis and policy paper updates with actionable recommendations.
  2. Public Authorities for BESA – Mapping and mobilization of supportive public administrations and stakeholders; launch and consolidation of a national community.
  3. Institutional Advocacy – Identification of key political actors and implementation of lobbying strategies targeting the Italian government and Members of the European Parliament.
  4. Communication Campaign – Social media outreach, public events, media relations, and a national petition to support the BESA proposal.

Partnership
The project is coordinated by Fondazione Ecosistemi with funding from the European Climate Foundation (ECF) and the collaboration of institutional partners, public administrations, policy experts, and civil society organizations.
BESA contributes to a broader European mobilisation for a sustainable procurement reform aimed at environmental transition, economic resilience, and territorial cohesion.

Project duration: 01/10/2024 – 30/09/2025
Contact: Sabina Nicolella

Focus area: GPP – Green and Circular Public Procurement

Keywords: BESA, Buy European Act, Ecological Transition, GPP, Advocacy

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