PREPARE project aims at setting a foundation for innovation procurement processes that will have a regional impact in the four regions participating and beyond. To share the benefits that partners are having with their participation, we have interviewed some of them. Here are the answers from Madalina Argaseala, Senior Expert in ROHEALTH – The Health and Bioeconomy Cluster:
How do you perceive the role of innovation procurement in fostering economic growth and development within our local region?
I see innovation procurement as a strategic approach that can significantly foster economic growth and development at our local region, because this approach can impact various aspects at the region level, like: stimulation of local innovation – by focusing on innovative solutions, public authorities can encourage local business (start-ups and SMEs) to develop new products and services; attracting investments – if there is a commitment to innovation this can make the region more attractive to external investors.
What specific challenges or opportunities do you see in implementing innovation procurement strategies locally?
The main challenges are related to:
- The regulatory framework – navigating the regulatory and bureaucratic frameworks the govern procurement process in the sense that these are not always aligned with the fast – paced nature of innovative solutions, potentially slowing down the implementation process;
- The lack of knowledge at the level of the procurement experts which work in the public entities and the fact that sometimes they are overloaded with the daily procurements;
- Risk aversion of the public entities to new solutions, preferring proven solutions over new, untested ones. This kind of attitude can limit the willingness to adopt innovative procurement strategies which inherently come with higher risks due to their novel nature.
The main opportunities from my perspective are:
- Different EU funds and programmes are now available and some of them supports innovation and technological development;
- Simplification of the procurement process to make it more accessible for innovative companies, especially SMEs and startups, can encourage more participation and competition, leading to better solutions
In what ways do you believe innovation procurement can contribute to addressing pressing societal or environmental issues within our community?
Innovation procurement can contribute to the societal issues like:
- Healthcare through development of advanced medical technologies, telehealth services can increase the access to healthcare services, improve patient outcomes and reduce cost;
- Education – innovative educational tools and methods, such as digital classrooms, e-learning platforms, and interactive learning technologies, can be procured to enhance educational access and quality;
- Social inclusion – by procuring innovative solutions that promote accessibility in public buildings and transport, or developing new services aimed at integrating marginalized groups, procurement can directly tackle issues of social exclusion and inequality.
From the point of view of the environmental issues, IP can contribute to sustainable urban development like green buildings materials, renewable energy, smart buildings, smart cities and also to public transport and mobility with innovative solutions like smart traffic management systems.
How do you think the adoption of innovation procurement practices can enhance the competitiveness of local businesses and stimulate entrepreneurship?
Innovation procurement often involves challenges that require fresh solutions, creating opportunities for local businesses to innovate and develop new products or services. This opens up markets that might not have been accessible before, allowing businesses to expand their portfolios and engage in new or niche markets. Participating in innovation procurement can raise a company’s profile, not just locally but also in broader markets. Innovation procurement encourages businesses to invest in research and development (R&D) to create or improve products and services. Businesses that successfully engage in innovative projects with the public sector can attract attention from investors. This is particularly valuable for startups and SMEs, which may find it challenging to secure funding. The demand for innovative solutions creates a fertile environment for entrepreneurship.
As a stakeholder, what do you see as the potential risks associated with not prioritizing innovation procurement initiatives in our region?
Not prioritizing innovation procurement initiatives in your region could pose several risks that might hinder economic, technological, and societal development, like: stagnation in economic growth, reduced attractiveness to investors, missed opportunities for local business, risk of brain drain and diminished public sector efficiency.
Looking ahead, how do you envision the role of innovation procurement evolving in our local region, and what steps do you believe are necessary to realize this vision?
Innovation procurement can foster a vibrant ecosystem of startups, SMEs and research institutions which can work together to push the boundaries of technology and service delivery in both public and private sectors. Through the adaptation of cutting – edge technologies, public services can be significantly improved, making them more efficient and cost – effective.
As far as the steps, maybe establishing specialized units within government bodies that will be in charge with managing and fostering innovation procurement can be a solution to implement IP in the public bodies. These units will act as a bridge between public agencies and private sector innovators. Implementation of a capacity building programme at regional level can be another step.
