Supporting BSR cities to implement public procurement of innovation while providing practical tools created using AI technologies and gamification methods

PPI4cities

Municipalities in Lithuania Explore Innovation through Public Procurement with PPI4Cities

11 June 2025

Lithuanian Innovation Centre and Panevėžys NOW hosted a seminar in Kupiškis to strengthen Lithuanian municipalities’ capacities in public procurement of innovation. Participants explored how to identify real challenges, engage the market early, and use the PPI4Cities platform to procure innovative solutions legally and strategically. Inspiring municipal cases and an interactive innovation lab enriched the event.

Technical details

Public procurement holds immense potential as a driver of innovation in municipalities – yet it remains underused across many regions. To address this gap, Lithuanian Innovation Centre recently joined forces with Panevėžys NOW to host an interactive seminar in Kupiškis, Lithuania, bringing together representatives from local governments across the country.

The event focused on empowering municipal stakeholders to identify innovative solutions and navigate the legal, strategic, and practical steps of procuring them effectively. Discussions centred around how to assess whether a proposed solution addresses a real need, adds tangible value, or opens new avenues for local economic development.

A key takeaway from the event was the importance of early market engagement. Participants explored how involving market actors at an early stage helps avoid common pitfalls in innovation procurement – an insight strongly supported by the PPI4Cities methodology.

The PPI4Cities platform was presented as a hands-on tool designed to guide municipalities through the entire innovation procurement journey. Developed under the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme, the platform supports local authorities in strengthening their competencies, collaborating across borders, and using procurement as a strategic tool for smarter, more sustainable urban development.

The event also highlighted inspiring municipal examples:

Visaginas, adapting to structural shifts after the closure of its nuclear power plant, is investing in STEM education and has established Lithuania’s first Newton Rooms.
Rokiškis is embracing citizen involvement to co-create public services, from cultural initiatives to shaping its urban identity.

The event concluded with an innovation lab, where participants applied their learnings to hypothetical urban challenges, further strengthening their confidence and capacity to implement PPI in real contexts.

We thank our contributors, including the Innovation Agency and the Public Procurement Office, for their active role in advancing innovation in Lithuania’s municipalities.