Procurement

Tools for Solidarity

Business opportunities for Social Enterprise

In Northern Ireland public procurement expenditure accounts for £3 billion annually making it a significant buyer of goods and services.

At the end of 2020, the Finance Minister restructured the procurement board and included representation from Social Enterprise. He stated “Among the first items I will be asking the new Board to explore are Security of Supply and Social Value. A stronger focus on security of supply will benefit local businesses and help increase employment levels while factoring social value into contracts can contribute to social good”

Public procurement offers an opportunity for organisations working for social good to engage with government,

The attached guide, Public Procurement: A Guide for Social Economy Enterprises, aims to help Social Enterprises increase their understanding of the public sector procurement and develop their own capability to respond to public sector contracts.

 Access current Public Procurement Tenders in NI here.

Public Procurement

A Guide for Social Economy Enterprises

Opportunities in Green Public Procurement

Green Public Procurement (GPP) is a means by which public authorities can use their purchasing power to choose environmentally friendly goods, services and works, and they can make an important contribution to sustainable consumption and production.

Within the EU GPP criteria are developed to facilitate the inclusion of green requirements in public tender documents and has identified it as a key role to play in the EU’s efforts to become a more resource-efficient economy. GPP is a strong stimulus for eco-innovation, development of the Green Economy and reuse and repair and as such, there is a role for GPP to play in public procurement policy in Northern Ireland.

Public Procurement for a Circular Economy

Good Practice and Guidance

Social Value and Green Public Procurement

NIRN Position Paper (April 2021)