Project type :

This initiative was a pilot project aimed at integrating green criteria into public procurement processes within Bosnia and Herzegovina. It served as a practical demonstration of how environmental considerations can be embedded into procurement procedures, aligning with the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project focused on developing and testing guidelines for including green requirements in various stages of the procurement cycle, such as bidder eligibility, technical specifications, contract award criteria, and contract clauses. By targeting commonly procured items like electricity, food and beverages, work clothing, and hygiene supplies, the project provided tangible examples of green procurement in action.

Partners: 

The project was a collaborative effort between the Service for Joint Affairs of the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). UNDP provided technical assistance and support through its Accelerator Lab in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which played a pivotal role in analysing procurement practices and developing recommendations for the inclusion of green criteria. This partnership exemplified a successful model of cooperation between national institutions and international organizations to promote sustainable public procurement practices.

Dates                2021

Funding :  

The project was funded and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). While specific financial details are not publicly disclosed, the funding encompassed technical support, capacity-building activities, and the development of comprehensive guidelines for green public procurement. This financial backing facilitated the implementation of the pilot project and the dissemination of its findings to inform broader procurement reforms within the country.

The GPP pilot project in Bosnia and Herzegovina was launched as a pioneering initiative aimed at integrating environmental considerations into the country’s public procurement processes. Recognizing the significant role public procurement plays in shaping market practices and promoting sustainable development, the project was started as a collaborative effort between the United Nations Development Programme and the Service for Joint Affairs of the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The main goal was to explore and demonstrate how GPP could be implemented within the current legal and institutional framework of the country, while simultaneously building capacity and raising awareness among public sector institutions.

The project was designed as a pilot to provide practical and actionable insights into the feasibility of applying green criteria in real-world procurement processes. At its core, the initiative focused on developing and testing a set of comprehensive guidelines for the inclusion of green requirements at every stage of the procurement cycle. These stages included bidder eligibility criteria, technical specifications, award criteria, and contract performance clauses. Through a detailed review of existing procurement practices, the project identified key entry points where environmental sustainability could be introduced without contradicting the Public Procurement Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As part of the implementation process, the project targeted a selection of frequently procured goods and services—such as electricity, food and beverages, business attire, work clothing, toners, postal services, hygiene supplies, and printing services—to serve as demonstration cases. These procurement items were chosen for their relevance to the daily operations of public institutions and their potential for immediate environmental impact. By embedding environmental criteria into the tender documentation for these items, the project not only illustrated the technical feasibility of GPP but also established a replicable model for other public institutions in the country.

The partnership between UNDP and the Service for Joint Affairs was instrumental in ensuring the project’s success. UNDP provided technical expertise and strategic guidance through its Accelerator Lab in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which supported the design, execution, and evaluation of the pilot. Together, the partners developed a detailed document titled “Recommendations for Inclusion of Green Requirements in Public Procurement in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” which serves as the cornerstone output of the project. This publication offers step-by-step guidance, contextualized to the local procurement environment, on how to incorporate green criteria effectively.

The impact of the project has been both wide-ranging and foundational for future progress. On the institutional level, the project demonstrated that the existing legal framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina offers sufficient flexibility to allow for the integration of environmental criteria, even in the absence of explicit legislative mandates for GPP. This finding is particularly significant, as it paves the way for broader adoption of sustainable procurement practices across public institutions without the need for immediate legal reform. Furthermore, the development and dissemination of the GPP guidelines equipped procurement officers with the tools necessary to initiate change from within their organizations.

Environmentally, the pilot contributed to reducing the ecological footprint of public procurement by prioritizing products and services that are more energy-efficient, resource-conscious, and environmentally benign. The procurement of greener goods helped foster market demand for sustainable products, encouraging suppliers to adapt and align with emerging green standards. This market signalling effect is a key step in driving broader changes in production and supply chains toward sustainability.

Capacity-building was another critical component of the project. Through training sessions and knowledge-sharing activities, the project enhanced the understanding and skills of public procurement officers, enabling them to confidently apply GPP principles in their daily work. This empowerment of institutional staff has laid the groundwork for a sustainable transition in procurement culture and practices.

Economically, the project showed that green procurement does not necessarily entail higher costs. Analyses indicated that in many cases, environmentally preferable products can be procured at competitive prices, and that the long-term benefits—in terms of energy savings, reduced waste, and improved efficiency—can offset any initial expenditure. This finding is crucial in dispelling one of the common misconceptions surrounding GPP, namely that it is prohibitively expensive or impractical.

Finally, from a social and developmental perspective, the project has contributed to aligning Bosnia and Herzegovina’s public sector with international best practices and the broader goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By institutionalizing environmental responsibility in procurement, the project indirectly supports public health, promotes climate action, and enhances the overall quality of public services.

In conclusion, the Green Public Procurement pilot project in Bosnia and Herzegovina has established a viable and impactful model for sustainable procurement in the public sector. It has demonstrated that with the right tools, partnerships, and commitment, even modest institutional reforms can lead to significant environmental, economic, and social benefits. The project stands as a milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable development and offers a practical template for replication and scaling across the region.