Public procurement
Public procurement is a key instrument for the implementation of Interreg programmes, ensuring that EU funds are managed in accordance with the principles of sound financial management, transparency, equal treatment, and competition, and in line with EU and national rules.
While safeguarding sound financial management remains a core obligation, procurement is increasingly expected to contribute to wider policy objectives. This creates a dual challenge: balancing the efficient use of public funds with the strategic use of procurement as a policy tool.
Interact supports this process by facilitating the exchange of programme-level practices, strengthening administrative capacity, and ensuring alignment with the evolving EU regulatory and policy framework.
Where to start
A wide range of resources is available to support programmes and practitioners. While materials from the 2014–2020 period remain useful for practical insights, users should ensure that any references to rules and procedures are aligned with the current regulatory framework for 2021–2027.
What we are working on
Interact continuously updates its support tools to reflect both regulatory developments and practical experience:
- The Q&A on public procurement has been updated to address recurring questions from Interreg programmes
- The factsheet on public procurement in Interreg has been revised, integrating key concepts and lessons learned, including from green public procurement
- A dedicated brochure on public procurement models provides practical approaches for implementing sustainable procurement in Interreg projects
All resources are available in the Interact Library.
The revised EU Public Procurement Directives are expected to be published by mid-2026, following extensive consultation with practitioners, public authorities, businesses, civil society, and social partners.
The reform is expected to:
- Simplify and streamline procedures, reducing administrative burden
- Enhance the role of procurement in delivering EU strategic objectives
- Strengthen legal clarity and consistency across procurement stages
- Support a more efficient and resilient public investment system
While the core principles of procurement will remain unchanged, programmes will need to adapt to increased expectations regarding the strategic use of procurement, particularly in relation to sustainability and innovation.
Interact will continue to keep programmes informed about key developments and emerging proposals, and will update its guidance accordingly. Related resources are also available in the Interact Library.
Interact remains actively engaged in supporting Interreg programmes through:
- Continuous exchange within the DG REGIO Peer2Peer community on public procurement
- Dedicated support to programme authorities and practitioners
- Facilitation of knowledge sharing and peer learning across programmes
Contact
For more information, please contact Florin Neculcea.
Want to exchange on this topic?
Interact offers a dedicated space for those working on daily basis with public procurement. Within our MS Teams channel on Financial programme management you can exchange experiences, share practices, and discuss common challenges with peers across Interreg.
You can find out more about our MS Teams environment on our Networks page, and see all our networks in our Portal.
If you would like to learn more about this, please contact Florin Neculcea.
