Innovation Through Trust: How Tampere is Leading in Public Procurement

Innovation demands courage and confidence – qualities that can be challenging to nurture within public sector bodies responsible for public procurement and especially – public procurement of innovation in different countries around the Baltic Sea Region and beyond. How readily are these qualities embraced in the context of public procurement of innovation in Finland?

The commitment to public procurement of innovation (PPI) varies widely across EU countries. In collaboration with PPI4cities partners, we recently visited Tampere, Finland, to study their approach to PPI and gain insights from the innovative practices implemented there.

Tampere, a rapidly expanding city, sees innovation procurement as a strategic tool not just for growth, but for creating a more sustainable and resident-centred urban environment. A critical element in this vision is the strategic use of data, which enables smarter and more impactful decision-making.

A standout example is the Tampere City Mobile App, developed by the municipality to provide a suite of benefits to residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Through the app, users can view real-time data on mobility flows and receive future forecasts, report issues directly to the municipality, access city services, receive tailored suggestions, and even calculate the carbon footprint of their travels – promoting a culture of environmental responsibility alongside convenience.

During our visit, our partners and stakeholders expressed admiration for the Finnish strategic approach, particularly the culture of trust that underpins their implementation of innovation procurement.

For nearly two years, our PPI4cities team has been working to develop a robust platform aimed at fostering public sector innovation procurement competencies. If you’re interested in this field and want to be part of this journey, we invite you to join us for free at www.ppi4cities.eu.

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