The background
In late 2022, we organized the fourth Frisian Circular Procurement Academy – a program in which we train about 20 participants from Frisian authorities. They learn how to apply the principles of circular procurement to their own procurement processes. For this program, the client is the Province of Friesland.
Context
The Province of Friesland wants to be an international leader in the circular economy field. In recent years, organizations including the Circular Friesland Association (Vereniging Circulair Friesland) and the Province have set up various activities. The ambition related to the circular economy includes a commitment to circular procurement, which led to the development of a training program: the Frisian Circular Procurement Academy.
The question
Organize a fourth edition of the Frisian Circular Procurement Academy, in which participants gain knowledge and experience to apply circular principles to their own procurement processes.
Current situation and future
The program is based on the book Circular Procurement in 8 Steps (Circulair Inkopen in 8 Stappen). It covers the most important principles of circular procurement, such as:
- Formulating a concrete circular ambition and question;
- Shaping collaboration with the market;
- Choosing a suitable tender procedure;
- Establishing suitable requirements and criteria;
- Ensuring circular agreements and contract management.
The process
The program consists of six interactive meetings in which the participants are inspired to get started with circularity. The participants implement their own procurement process in order to apply the principles they learn immediately. The meetings involve plenary knowledge transfer, as well as short assignments and knowledge exchange between the various participants. In parallel, they further refine their procurement process through assignments and consultation hours.
The results
The Frisian Circular Procurement Academy was successful and well received! The participants were able to tackle the challenges that come along with circular procurement. In addition, they were inspired to apply circular principles and learned how to make them concrete.
