European network of national competence centers for innovation procurement

• Enhanced capacity of public procurers to carry out PCPs and PPIs.

• Increased volume of PCPs and PPIs at national and cross-border levels by transnational buyer groups.

• Raised awareness among companies, especially startups and SMEs, of innovation procurement opportunities across EU and Associated Countries.

• Growth in EU-wide published preliminary market consultations and PCP/PPI calls for tender, actively promoted to innovators.

• Greater recognition of PCP and PPI strategic importance by policy makers, leading to stronger uptake and inclusion in national policies.

• Expansion and intensification of support measures by innovation procurement competence centres across Europe.

• Consortium composition: minimum 15 participants from different EU Member States or Associated Countries, including at least 10 existing competence centres and 5 public bodies mandated to set up new centres (with at least 2 in “emerging” or “moderate” innovator countries).

• Geographical target: start with 15 countries and expand to all Member States by project end.

• Duration: single, 4-year action under a HORIZON Coordination and Support Action (Lump Sum Grant).

• Core activities: establishment/enlargement of competence centres; PCP/PPI experience‐sharing; funding promotion (Horizon Europe, ESIF); buyer group creation; diffusion of procurement results; strategic technology focus; SME/startup outreach; policy-maker engagement; funding synergy maximization; cooperation with Horizon Europe initiatives.

• Eligibility: participants must use latest European Innovation Scoreboard, Global Innovation Index or Horizon Europe country profile to classify innovator status; Associated Countries not in EIS ranked below 25 in GII deemed moderate/emerging; if absent from both, use Horizon Europe country ranking.

• Budget constraints: activities must focus on tasks not fundable by ESIF or national budgets.