Regional Networking Objectives:

The objectives of the Network are to:

• Create a common culture among members of the RESECO in the field of sustainable development through responsible purchasing
• Assist decision makers in their purchasing policies on technical and legal aspects,
• Pooling and sharing experiences
• Create a dynamic exchange, motivate and stimulate the interest of stakeholders
• Know and learn about strands of business, labels and suppliers
• Establish partnerships with suppliers to structure tenders
• Develop information and optimise skills
• Be the link between local, national and international initiatives for proposals and as a source of information
• Promote sustainable development through responsible procurement in public procurement

Procurement Training:

An average of two three-day training sessions on public procurement are held in partnership with the ADEME per year. RESECO also provides its own training sessions.

Guidelines and Materials:

t the end of each working group period, a guide on good practice is published which also contains legal recommendations on sustainable criteria that can be directly used by other members or municipalities, it can be also tools that aims to help the purchasers in the preparation of their tenders procedure. During the working groups there are meetings during which minutes are taken and later reports written. These reports are then available to members who can use the resources (criteria, experience, sections of code, etc.) until the final guide is written and published.

Sustainable tenders are available for RESECO members, good practices and a Newsletter.

SPP Helpdesk:

RESECO's core activity is giving advice. Participants can ask for guides, models of tenders, or if RESECO has already worked on issues, etc. Applications are increasingly numerous.

Joint Procurement Activities:

RESECO had a working group on "Grouping Orders (joint procurement)" (2010-2011) and the city of Angers and Angers Loire Métropole are leading a joint procurement for fairtrade coffee.

An Email Address for Exchange:

An email address offers members a chance to ask each other questions about procurement topics and receive support in specific tenders. For example, if a participant is planning launch a tender and wants to know more information on best practice, they can use this tool.

Market Engagement:

For each working group, a meeting with suppliers is held in order to discuss challenges, such as legal and supply issues. The goal is to lobby suppliers to adopt sustainable public procurement as well as to discuss their work. RESECO considers it important to know the market and the supply and to know the difficulties faced by suppliers to respond to tenders. The meeting is an exchange with suppliers selected by the working group. Questions are asked about their environmental efforts, Corporate Social Responsibility and other sustainability issues.

Monitoring and Reporting Network Activities:

Monitoring and reporting of the network activities includes both an analysis of time spent and an annual activity report. RESECO uses a reporting tool to analyse time spent by employees in the different network activities. Additionally, RESECO prepares an annual activity report which includes all activities, such as number of meetings, existing working groups, and tools and materials developed.