WBL wins European Innovation Procurement Award 2021
During the latest EIC summit on 25 November, the European Assistance for Innovation Procurement (EAFIP) announced that Waterschapsbedrijf Limburg (WBL) has won the first prize at the European Innovation Procurement Awards (EUIPA) 2021 in the ‘Facing societal challenges’ category for its project that integrates Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) and Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI). The runner-up is International Horizon Scanning Initiative (IHSI)
WBL is the wastewater treatment company of the Dutch province of Limburg. Its winning procurement project, which tackles both innovation and circularity, combined three different lots (process automation, security and big data) with a PCP (that builds on and supports the three lots). The PCP results are integrated as part of the big data PPI to support process automation and security. The purchased solution will improve management of wastewater transportation pipelines by allowing WBL to continuously monitor their correct functioning and proactively tackle issues. The jury praised WBL’s inspiring concept and innovative strength.
Finalist IHSI – an international non-profit organisation under Belgian law (Association internationale sans but lucratif – AISBL) – is leading a cross border initiative to develop a horizon scanning system, with the aim of identifying new pharmaceuticals that are expected to enter the international market and supporting decision makers on emerging and new pharmaceuticals for reimbursement decisions and policy development.
The winners and finalists in the other categories can be found here. The winner of each category will be rewarded with 75.000 Euro while each of the runners-up will receive 25.000 Euro.
Stephan Corvers, Corvers Commercial & Legal Affairs, contractor for the EAFIP-initiative notes that "These European prizes acknowledge the success and value of the EAFIP methodology for innovation procurement projects. We applaud all the winners and contestants of the EUIPA awards. Innovation procurement is key for reaching strategic goals of public authorities throughout Europe."