Vienna hosted the third edition of the Procure Innovation EU Training Programme, a dynamic and hands-on initiative aimed at equipping public buyers from across the European Economic Area with the tools, mindset, and strategies to lead innovation in public procurement.

Held over five days, the programme brought together 30 professionals committed to redefining how innovation is implemented and scaled through public contracting. From policy foundations to prototyping, each day offered new perspectives and opportunities for collaboration.

The training kicked off with a strategic session on the broader policy context of innovation procurement, led by Samira Bousseta, setting the tone for a week of critical reflection and learning. Participants then explored the design and implementation of Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) processes, delving into real-life cases and applying theoretical knowledge to practical challenges.

Day 2 focused on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the context of innovation procurement. Experts Samuel Bonnaud-Le Roux and Aïda Jaidane guided participants through the legal dimensions of IPR, combining theoretical insights with applied tools.

Midweek, sessions shifted toward action-oriented methods. Facilitators from SILO and Escuela 21 led participants through collaborative activities designed to transform abstract ideas into viable procurement strategies, emphasizing visual thinking, stakeholder engagement, and clarity of impact.

The fourth day centered on prototyping innovation procurement processes, guiding participants step by step through the design of specifications, award criteria, and impact assessments. An expert lecture by Luis Noguera on the essentials of PPI provided a strong framework for translating learning into practice.

The final day focused on future-oriented innovation procurement. Antonio Sánchez Zaplana introduced participants to the use of Artificial Intelligence tools to support innovation processes, followed by a session on intellectual property and long-term innovation strategies led by Laura Sánchez Alonso and representatives from the Austrian Patent Office. The programme concluded with a group reflection and a joyful celebration of the week’s achievements, highlighting the community of practice formed and the shared commitment to change.

Throughout the programme, participants tackled real-world challenges, shared experiences, and co-developed strategies that they can now apply in their respective contexts. The training fostered a sense of shared mission among a growing community of innovation-minded public buyers.

With a fourth edition already on the horizon, Procure Innovation EU continues to build momentum as a key initiative to strengthen innovation capacity in public procurement across Europe.