The prize is funded under Horizon Europe, the EU research and innovation programme and managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency.

The winners, chosen by a jury of independent experts, are:

Innovation procurement strategy category

1. The Galician Health Service (SERGAS) (Spain) – Winner
2. The National Centre for Research and Development (Narodowe Centrum Badań i Rozwoju) (Poland) – Runner up

Facing societal challenges category

1. The Dutch Waterschapsbedrijf Limburg (The Netherlands) – Winner
2. International Horizontal Scanning Initiative – Runner up

Procurement leadership category

1. Francesco Talone & Stefano Moni & Giuseppe Restivo (Italy) – Winner
2. Mateusz Stanczyk & Monika Adamczak (Poland) – Runner up

Apart from the prestigious recognition, the winner of each category will be rewarded with EUR 75 000 while each of the runners-up will receive EUR 25 000.

Background

Innovation procurement modernises public sector with more economical and higher quality solutions. These practices directly contribute to EU competitiveness, by opening a route-to-the market for new players, especially SMEs. They also help larger companies to bring innovative products to the market, stimulating cross-border company growth and the creation of jobs. Innovation procurement also serves to tackle the most pressing societal needs.

Supported by the European Innovation Council under Horizon Europe, the European Innovation Procurement Awards recognise powerful cases of public and private buyers on promoting innovation procurement practices across Europe. It also emphasises the importance of close buyer–supplier cooperation in bringing the innovative solutions to market.

This is one of the four 2021 European Innovation Council Prizes that celebrate those shaping the future of innovation in Europe, alongside with the EU Prize for Women Innovators, the European Capital of Innovation Awards, the European Social Innovation Competition.