EVENTS: GPP2ADRION Reflects on First Year During 3rd In-Person Meeting in Mostar

On 7 October 2025, partners of the GPP2ADRION project gathered in Mostar for the 3rd in-person meeting, marking the conclusion of the project’s first year. This meeting provided a key opportunity to review progress, share insights, and consolidate findings on Green Public Procurement (GPP) across the Adriatic-Ionian region.

During the meeting, partners presented the results of extensive analyses carried out over the past year, including a state-of-the-art review and benchmarking exercise that mapped the application of GPP tools and practices at national, regional, and local levels. A gap analysis was also discussed, highlighting the main barriers and limitations in adopting and implementing GPP policies.

A major focus of the Mostar meeting was the mapping of stakeholders involved in GPP — from national and regional authorities to local administrations, SMEs, NGOs, and academia. This exercise not only provided valuable insights but also laid the foundation for a transnational network to strengthen cross-border cooperation on sustainable procurement.

First Year in Numbers

  • 190 stakeholders mapped
  • 63 interviews conducted
  • 133 participants in the online survey

Partners shared the outcomes of various activities, including desk research, joint discussions, stakeholder interviews, and an online survey, resulting in a comprehensive picture of the region’s GPP landscape and its main challenges and opportunities.

Key Findings

  • Legal frameworks and practices remain highly heterogeneous across countries.
  • Tools and methodologies are unevenly developed, often depending on national priorities.
  • Without mandatory rules and monitoring, GPP risks remaining largely symbolic.
  • Training for procurement staff and suppliers is insufficient.
  • Interest from local authorities and SMEs is growing, although resources remain limited.
  • Pilot projects show strong potential for replication.

These findings provide a clear overview of the current GPP landscape across the partner countries. They highlight not only the existing challenges but also the growing awareness and interest among public authorities and stakeholders. By identifying both obstacles and opportunities, the project partners have established a solid foundation for targeted actions in the upcoming phases, aiming to strengthen GPP implementation and foster transnational cooperation.

Main Gaps Identified at the Meeting

  • Limited integration of Circular Economy principles.
  • GPP remains largely voluntary, with no binding targets or KPIs.
  • Institutional fragmentation and lack of coordination.
  • Absence of dedicated GPP units within administrations.
  • Insufficient training for procurement staff and suppliers.
  • Lack of standardized templates, platforms, and localized guidelines.

Addressing these gaps will be essential for advancing GPP across the Adriatic-Ionian region. The Mostar meeting allowed partners to collectively reflect on these challenges, emphasizing the need for structured coordination, dedicated units, standardized tools, and comprehensive training. Recognizing these shortcomings sets the stage for targeted initiatives in the next project phase, aimed at enhancing capacity, fostering stakeholder engagement, and ensuring that GPP moves from a largely voluntary approach to a more strategic and effective practice.

Opportunities and Next Steps

During the Mostar meeting, partners discussed key opportunities for the next phase, including:

  • Engaging SMEs and local administrations as active drivers of change
  • Using frontrunner models (Italy’s CAMs, Slovenia’s decree) as inspiration
  • Scaling pilot projects in construction, ICT, and waste management
  • Developing capacity-building initiatives with practical guidelines, supplier engagement, monitoring tools, and templates
  • Establishing national GPP contact points and a regional transnational network

Looking ahead, the next six months will focus on preparing two major initiatives:

  1. Capacity Building Package – a 20-hour training course providing practical GPP skills and tools for public officials and stakeholders.
  2. National Contact Points on GPP – dedicated hubs in each partner country serving as references and support structures.

The 3rd in-person meeting in Mostar proved to be a highly productive and inspiring moment, where partners exchanged ideas, aligned priorities, and set the foundations for turning knowledge into practice in the coming project phase.