EU Public Procurement Learning Laboratory: Review and Assessment International Cooperation Projects: key considerations to increase participation and cooperation among Countries Edinburgh, December 1st 2005 Michele Guarino 30

The EU Public Procurement Learning Laboratory 1/3 The EU Lab was launched at the end of 2003, its inaugural meeting took place in January 2004. The activity of the EU Lab’s working groups in 2004 led to 3 reports: “Small and medium enterprises” “Technical issues” “Auction Design and Competitive Issues” During the final meeting in December 2004, the network decided: to stop the working group on “Technical issues; to deepen the study on Auction Design in 2005 and the one on SMEs to analyse the experiences of purchasing processes on a specific product category. 30

The EU Public Procurement Learning Laboratory 2/3 The activity of the EU Lab’s working groups in 2005 led to 3 reports: Auction Design and Competitive Issues: the study on Auction design and Competitive Issues compare how different European Institutions procure goods and services. Namely, it focuses on two product categories: Paper for Printers and Fixed Line Telephone Services. Case study on PC desktop: it consist of a benchmark about the current practices in Europe of the procurement of PCs. This study aims at highlighting two main aspects: qualitative analysis and competitive bidding. SME’s: the study on SMEs identify innovative methods to promote participation of SMEs in public procurement. 30

The EU Public Procurement Learning Laboratory 3/3 Despite the “EU Public Procurement Learning Lab” has allowed its members to obtain wide and deep benefits, its carrying out has required substantial efforts in terms of human and financial resources. For this reason, during the final meeting held in Bruxelles last 14 November 2005, all members agreed on maintaining active the network set up, through a different methodology characterized from a lighter approach but able to maintaining the same level of productivity. It is based on three main elements: Operations: in terms of "restricted round tables on specific topics“ Networking: through an Annual General Meeting that will be organize during the 4th Quarter of 2006. Know-how: in terms of a structured EU Lab repository 30

International Cooperation Projects Preliminary considerations: Multi cultural context No specific budget has assigned International Cooperation Projects’ issues can be grouped in 3 types: those related to each country’s peculiarities those related to the project’s functional model those generated by the lack of specific financial resources. Need to adopt a methodology enables to increase participation and cooperation among Institutions involved 30

International Cooperation Projects – Methodology, Tools & Results General Coordinator to stimulate the participation of the participants; to guarantee the implementation of project activities; to monitor the project activities. Working Groups to stimulate Institutions’ interest and participation; to a “binding” coordination of the activities. Questionnaires Web site Glossary Tools Results Mailing list of participants Periodical meetings Creation of a permanent network Agreement on the final outcome Respect of the planned timetable 30

International Cooperation Projects – Key considerations Initiative has to be focused on sensitive issues Equal consideration of all participants Topics chosen should be specific and not too general The participant has to be informed about resources Number of participants involved Different legal frameworks Direct interaction and distance communication 30