ICLEI is proud to launch the 2017 Procura+ Awards, which will showcase the achievements of European cities' sustainable and innovative procurement projects.

Following the success of the 2016 Procura+ Awards , applications are now being accepted for the 2017 edition. The three award categories now open for applications are Sustainable Procurement of the Year, Innovation Procurement of the Year and Tender Procedure of the Year.

The closing date is 30 June 2017. The 2017 Procura+ Awards ceremony will be held at the Third Major eafip Event on Innovation Procurement in Tallinn (Estonia) on 17 October.

While all participants have the opportunity to highlight their procurement successes, the winners of each category will be awarded with: Free entry and a presentation at the next EcoProcura conference, a case study on the Sustainable Procurement Platform and PPI Platform, publicity in a variety of ICLEI publications, and the right to use the Procura+ Award winners' logo.

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability is also the coordinator of the Procura+ European Sustainable Procurement Network. The 40-member network recently released the 3rd edition of its keystone publication for public procurers, The Procura+ Manual - A Guide to Implementing Sustainable Procurement.

Deputy Mayor of Helsinki and chair of the Procura+ network, Pekka Sauri, says the awards represent an opportunity for cities to develop an international profile: "The Procura+ Awards showcase, celebrate and reward cities' achievements in sustainable and innovation procurement. Cities across Europe seeking to enhance their sustainability have benefited from the international exposure for their achievements in sustainable procurement offered by the Procura+ Awards. It is well recognised at the international level that cities will play a leading role in the transition to a sustainable future, and that Sustainable Public Procurement is central to achieving this."

Global Director of ICLEI's Sustainable Procurement Centre, Mark Hidson, said: "The quality and breadth of initiatives highlighted at the 2016 awards is testament to the reach and innovation of sustainable procurement practice, not only within the Procura+ network but across Europe. If your city is embarking on a sustainable or innovative procurement, you should consider applying for this year's award, which gives public authorities a platform and network of expertise to help them become truly sustainable, resilient communities and economies."

Last year, ICLEI celebrated 20 years of working on Sustainable Public Procurement. In that time, ICLEI has been involved in 150 sustainable and innovation procurement projects; organised 100 conferences, seminars and workshops; trained over 2,000 people; supported 300 cities in more than 50 countries, and saved 1 million tonnes of CO2.

For more information and to download an application, visit the Procura+ website or contact procurement@iclei.org.