DESCRIPTION

The EAFIP Toolkit (European Assistance for Innovation Procurement) is a comprehensive, free-to-use online resource developed by the European Commission to support public authorities in the design and implementation of innovation procurement, including Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) and Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP).

The Toolkit provides step-by-step guidance, practical templates, checklists, legal explanations and real examples covering the full innovation procurement lifecycle — from identifying unmet public needs and engaging the market, to choosing the appropriate procurement procedure, drafting tender documents, managing risks, and monitoring outcomes.

EAFIP is specifically designed to help contracting authorities overcome common barriers to innovation procurement, such as legal uncertainty, lack of internal capacity, risk aversion, and limited market knowledge. By translating EU procurement rules into practical operational guidance, the Toolkit enables public buyers to act as lead customers for innovative solutions that are not yet widely available on the market.

Tags: innovation procurement, public procurement of innovation, PPI, pre-commercial procurement, PCP, procurement toolkit, market engagement, EU guidance, public buyers

SOURCE

Official website

European Commission – EAFIP (European Assistance for Innovation Procurement), implemented with the support of external experts and funded by the EU to strengthen innovation procurement capacity among public authorities across Europe

YEAR

Originally launched in 2015 and continuously updated; the Toolkit remains actively used and referenced in EU innovation procurement guidance through 2024–2025