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News article24 September 2024

New approaches to Public Procurement: The role of design contests

Design contests in public procurement

As governments seek more innovative procurement methods, design contests are emerging as a key solution. A GovTech4all café session explored the benefits of this approach, highlighting its flexibility and ability to attract cutting-edge ideas from both startups and established firms. To learn more about how design contests are reshaping public sector innovation, read the full article here.

 

About the GovTech4All project

The GovTech4All project, funded by the Digital Europe Programme, aims to build a cohesive GovTech ecosystem across Europe. It brings together 26 organisations from 18 countries, with plans to expand. Over four years, through two Specific Grant Agreements, the project will enhance public sector technology and develop a pan-European GovTech market, improving digital public services for citizens.

As a dynamic and evolving space, the GovTech ecosystem is reshaping the public sector and driving innovation. The GovTech4All initiative supports this by organising 'Café sessions', where partners share experiences and discuss ways to foster innovation. One session addressed the challenges public administrations face when procuring innovation, introducing the concept of design contests—an alternative procurement method that goes beyond traditional approaches. Learn more about the design contest here. You can access all the ‘Café sessions’ and all related news through the main page of the project.