The speaker was Dr Ifigeneia Douvitsa, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Social Policy of Democritus University of Thrace; an affiliated professor at the International Centre for Co-operative Management, Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary’s University in Canada; a member of the adjunct teaching staff of the Master’s Programme in “Social and Solidarity Economy” at the Hellenic Open University; and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of UnivSSE Coop.
During her presentation, she discussed the current framework for socially responsible public procurement and how it is implemented in practice, the obstacles faced both by contracting authorities and by Social and Solidarity Economy organisations, and possible solutions. She also devoted considerable attention to what actors in the field can do, as well as to the policy changes required.
The discussion addressed issues such as the need for the state and each respective government to support socially responsible public procurement through legislative changes and practical investment. This includes adequately staffed and trained personnel, as well as initiatives to create more procurement opportunities. Participants also discussed the limited capacity of Social and Solidarity Economy organisations to compete with private companies and undertake large-scale contracts, and, once again, the need for networking and the formation of partnerships among these organisations.
Watch the video here