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10 Key Lessons from the GenProcure Network so far

The GenProcure Action Planning Network (APN) is one of 30 such APN’s resourced through the URBACT Programme. Commencing in June 2023, and composing of 9 Partners, GenProcure is focused upon the topic of Gender Responsive Public Procurement. GenProcure is particularly seeking to ensure that as part of the design, tendering, decision-making and delivery of Procurement exercises, that our Partners consider the implications for Gender Equality and how Procurement can be utilised to address wider inequality.

At the mid-point of the Network in December 2024, we have met collaboratively 8 times to discuss themes associated with Gender Responsive Public Procurement; our Partners have tested ideas such as Spend Analysis and inserting Gender Criteria in specific Procurement’s; and our Partners have started to draft Integrated Action Plans that will shape their practice around Gender Responsive Public Procurement into the future.

Collectively, we have learnt a lot so far, and in this article, we outline 10 key lessons so far!

URBACT GenProcure at the Procura+ conference

The GenProcure Network is in the process of developing Integrated Action Plans for each of the nine partner cities. Gender Responsive Public Procurement is a strategic approach that aims to create synergies between two seemingly disparate worlds: gender equality and public procurement. The GenProcure network seeks to promote specific training, awareness-raising actions, and public procurement processes that include social criteria, most notably around addressing inequality. The network aims to change the culture surrounding these two topics.

Nine cities to link issues of public procurement and gender equality

The GenProcure Action Planning Network (APN) is focused on the thematic topic of Gender Responsive Public Procurement. Over the next two years and until December 2025, it will seek to support nine partner cities to develop Integrated Action Plans (IAPs) that enable gender equality to be a key consideration in Public Procurement. Public Procurement is the process utilised by public authorities, including local municipalities and regional governments, to spend money on the goods, services and works that they require to function effectively. Public procurement spreads from the design of goods and services to the tendering of opportunities to the monitoring of outputs and outcomes.