The Public Procurement Agency conducted eight trainings with the participation of experts from Switzerland on the topic of “Green Procurement. Good practices from Switzerland “

During the period 3-7 June 2019, the Public Procurement Agency (PPA), together with lecturers from Switzerland and representatives of the contractor, prepared the Practical Handbook for Green Procurement and carried out eight trainings on the topic of Green Procurement. Good practices from Switzerland. “

The trainings target all stakeholders in the procurement process and involve representatives of eight target groups, including the central administration (ministries and agencies); managing authorities of operational programs in Bulgaria and central purchasing bodies; public law organizations; contractors from the local administration from North and South Bulgaria; economic operators and PPOs.

During the trainings, good examples were presented from Switzerland for incorporating green criteria in the procurement of textiles; construction and management of buildings; examples of projects promoting eco-technology and innovation; commented on the Swiss Good Practice Directory on Sustainable Procurement and other topics.

On the Bulgarian side, speakers with competences on topics related to the Practical Handbook for Green Public Procurement, the legal framework and good European and national examples actively participated.

Within one week, 8 parallel trainings lasted a day and a half and a total of 228 participants were trained. The survey results show high satisfaction with the organization and the lecturers. The initiative is useful and successful.

The trainings were carried out in pursuance of specific objective 2 of the PPA project “Raising awareness of good environmental protection practices in public procurement and strengthening the capacity of those involved in the application of green criteria”.