Departmental Cooperation for SPP:

The “Resources Optimisation Programme” has enabled increased cooperation between the Environment Area and the Logistics Department - the latter being responsible for most of the purchases and contracts as well as for building renovation. Now all new contracts for cleaning services of Council buildings incorporate sustainability criteria, as do contracts for multifunction imaging equipment, and purchase or leasing of vehicles. 

Regional Networking:

Barcelona Provincial Council promotes SPP among the municipalities of the Network of Towns and Cities for Sustainability through working groups which provide information, tools and training, and collaboration frameworks to exchange about GPP/SPP. Activities include:

• A survey on the current state of SPP within municipalities in order to assess their needs

• A series of conferences and seminars explaining the legal framework and possibilities of introducing sustainable criteria into tenders

• A Resources Guide on Sustainable Public Procurement

• “Mentoring” between administrations with more experience and administrations less knowledgeable on certain GPP topics.

More than 60 municipalities have participated in these groups over the last decade. The Council also takes part in other inter-organisational groups such as the Working Group on Socially Responsible Procurement in which Barcelona City Council  is also an active member.

Keeping Track of SPP:

In 2013 an internal diagnosis of the Buy Recycled Network was conducted to identify strengths and weaknesses. A plan for future actions to improve the Network was created and an internal process of redesigning the network undertaken to extend its reach and provide it with new tools.