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Every year, public authorities across Europe spend over €2 trillion on public procurement — that’s 14% of the EU’s GDP. This massive sum could become a powerful lever for climate action, quality jobs, and local economies. But today, much of that money flows into supply chains that are unsustainable and far from Europe. Through the BESA – Buy European and Sustainable Act campaign, we call for a reform of the EU procurement rules that rewards companies that produce in Europe and respect the environment. Discover why this fight concerns us all.

After unveiling the first part of its report at Forum Compraverde Buygreen last May, the Osservatorio Appalti Verdi returns with a new spotlight on how Italian municipalities are applying Green Public Procurement. The new findings will be presented on July 2 in Rome during the 12th edition of Ecoforum, Legambiente’s national conference on circular economy. This second chapter of the Observatory’s 8th Annual Report zooms in on local governments, comparing the performance of capital cities with that of smaller municipalities.

How can small municipalities make their public procurement more sustainable, even when resources and technical capacity are limited? What practical tools are available to help mayors, school principals and local administrators make greener, more informed choices? These are the questions at the heart of the upcoming webinar “Sustainable Procurement for Small Municipalities”, taking place on 24 June 2025, from 14:00 (CET). The event is organised within the framework of the proCURE project, co-funded by Erasmus+ and promoted by Fondazione Ecosistemi together with international partners.

A new strategic alliance between Italy and China has been launched in Rome by Fondazione Ecosistemi: an international cooperation program focused on sustainable development, environmental innovation, and joint training initiatives. The project brings together SMEs, institutions, universities, and research centers, aiming to foster green investments, cultural exchange, and technology transfer between the two countries.

13 March is International School Meals Day, a key date to reflect on the importance of ensuring that every child has access to healthy and sustainable school meals. This day is not only an opportunity to celebrate the progress made, but also a call to all of us to do more and ensure that every child, wherever they are, has access to a nutritious meal every day. In this sense, projects like SchoolFood4Change are making a tangible difference. The project has involved 2,892 schools in Europe, promoting healthier and more sustainable school meals.

The Compraverde Buygreen Award is back for 2025 with an important new feature: for the first time, applications will be open to European organisations. The calls for application are available online and it will be possible to participate until 24 April 2025. The award recognises best practices in Green Public Procurement (GPP) across key sectors such as catering, culture, sports, healthcare, and sustainable building, promoting responsible purchasing models. Winners will be announced at the 19th Forum Compraverde Buygreen on 14-15 May 2025 in Rome.