Public Procurement That Counts: Italy Leads with BESA in Rome

9 September 2025

Public procurement is back in the spotlight across Europe. In her recent State of the Union speech in Strasbourg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new “Made in Europe” criterion for public tenders, part of a broader effort to support clean technologies and boost industrial competitiveness. The message is clear: public spending can shape markets, drive innovation, and strengthen European supply chains.

On September 24 in Rome, at Europa Experience – David Sassoli, the BESA campaign (Buy European and Sustainable Act) will host a public event bringing together institutions, businesses, and local authorities. The discussion will focus on how Italy can contribute to European procurement reform, aligning with the Green Deal and Clean Industrial Deal objectives.

European public administrations spend over €2 trillion each year, around 14% of EU GDP. When directed strategically, this spending can cut emissions, create quality jobs, support innovation, and strengthen European industry. BESA’s goal is to make environmental and social criteria mandatory in key tenders, prioritizing European-made products with low emissions.

The September 24 event is also a key milestone on the road to the XX Forum Compraverde Buygreen in 2026, reflecting Europe’s growing recognition of public procurement as a tool for change.

Procurement that matters. Italy for a sustainable and competitive Europe.
24 September, Europa Experience – Rome

A crucial opportunity to show that Europe’s future will be shaped by the choices made in public spending.

News

INFEAS: the network activation process comes to an end, with Fondazione Ecosistemi at the heart of the participatory process

INFEAS: the network activation process comes to an end, with Fondazione Ecosistemi at the heart of the participatory process

The process of activating, engaging and supporting the stakeholders who will form the future INFEAS – Information, Training and Education on the Environment and Sustainability network, promoted and facilitated by Fondazione Ecosistemi, has been completed. This is a key milestone, marking the project’s entry into an operational phase and forming part of a broader regulatory process aimed at establishing new centres for sustainability education. At the heart of this work, the Foundation’s role was to build and support a structured participatory process, aimed at activating a diverse network of stakeholders and identifying, in a collaborative manner, needs, skills and visions.

read more
Sustainable public procurement: proCURE webinar focuses on joint procurement for small municipalities

Sustainable public procurement: proCURE webinar focuses on joint procurement for small municipalities

Joint procurement as a strategic tool to improve efficiency and administrative capacity in small municipalities. This is the focus of the webinar “Joint Procurement – Sustainable joint procurement for small municipalities”, scheduled for 25 March 2026, organised within the framework of the European proCURE project. The initiative is addressed to public authorities and professionals interested in developing more collaborative, sustainable and effective procurement practices.

read more
Green Spoon: A New European Tool to Measure the Environmental and Health Impact of School Meals 

Green Spoon: A New European Tool to Measure the Environmental and Health Impact of School Meals 

On International School Meals Day 2026, SchoolFood4Change proudly unveils Green Spoon – Good Food for Planet and Community, a new European and easy-to-use online tool designed to measure the environmental and health impact of school meals. At a time when food systems are gaining increased attention for their potential to address climate change, biodiversity protection and public health, the Green Spoon tool offers a concrete solution cities have long needed: a way to translate sustainability ambitions into measurable outcomes. Green Spoon was developed by Fondazione Ecosistemi in collaboration with cities from the SF4C network.

read more