In May 2019 second mentoring programm in Latvia was organized. It was divided in 2 days in May 9 it was organized in Kurzeme region West part of Latvia, because 2 of 3 pilot-municipalities Liepaja and Pavilosta are located in this region. Also other neighboring municipalities were invited to join and attend this mentoring in Grobina municipality.
Mentoring program was given from Mervyn Jones from Sustainable Global Resources and Take Padding from Pianoo the Dutch Public Procurement Expertise Centre. Municipalities were introduced and educated about such topics as – What is Circular Economy, How it can help reach targets set in political and environmental plans, how to plan and develop circular procurement, what are main benefits – saving of financial and environmental resources, better product quality etc. After training was organized site visit to Grobina Gymnasium, which was renovated according to sustainable and green public procurement criteria.
Municipalities were interested how to apply criteria and develop circular procurement in several product groups, but the biggest interest was about building construction and renovation category, also all admitted that construction is always very up to date.
In second day, May 10 individual meetings with Smiltene municipality and State Regional development agency was organised in LEIF’s office, where mostly circular procurement in furniture and ICT sector were discussed – opportunities, barriers, next steps, how to reach the goals, best practice examples from other countries etc. To follow up these procurement activities, mentors and project partners from Latvia will continue with individual follow up activities to support pilots in circular furniture and ICT procurements.
