The innovative VET Curriculum for the Public Procurement of Innovation Manager

"<< Background >>The decision to participate in this project stemmed from the observation that ""Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions – Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI)"" has been identified by the European Commission as a key tool to promote innovation and encourage industries to invest in research and development. Recognizing the public sector's purchasing power as a catalyst for the early adoption of innovative solutions. The project aimed to address a series of concrete needs of public administrations, characterized by a widespread lack of attitude towards adopting innovations and the absence of specialized personnel for innovative integration with SMEs and industries, as well as for companies, especially SMEs and innovative startups, which have a limited perception of the growth opportunities offered by public procurement. PPI GO was, therefore, designed to tackle these issues, introducing training content and tools to improve the understanding and implementation of PPI.<< Objectives >>The PPI GO project aimed to strengthen Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) as a lever for an innovative, sustainable, and inclusive economy, in alignment with EU policies. To this end, it sought to introduce the role of the PPI Manager, highlighting their role as a guide for public administrations (PAs) in adopting PPI, optimizing practices for innovative procurements; a support factor for SMEs/startups in accessing and participating in procurements; a platform to facilitate cooperation between PAs and businesses for the development/adoption of innovative solutions; a training path to ensure mutual knowledge and perception of PAs and SMEs regarding innovative procurements; a tool to foster technological innovation, promoting territorial development; an element to create public-private partnerships; support for cohesion policies.<< Implementation >>PPI GO aimed to create a new role, the PPI Manager, to fill a gap in Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI), supporting PAs in procurements and aiding SMEs and startups in PPI participation. The project focused on three main areas:1) Developing a PPI Manager training curriculum for professionals, consultants, and mentors in economics or management engineering, including a pilot phase engaging at least 75 participants.2) Creating a ""PPI Manager Tool Kit"" with innovative web-based tools to explore PA needs and market solutions, enhancing PPI understanding.3) Launching a MOOC platform for ongoing training ensured broad access to PPI specialization. Additionally, four transnational meetings and five multiplier events engaged over 200 participants. Community building in partner countries involved public procurers, PA representatives, and innovative companies. Dissemination through social media reached over 10,000 people, expanding PPI awareness.<< Results >>The project's key outcomes include:1. An innovative training path (PR1) for professionals in Public Procurement of Innovation, targeting a wide range of learners, including those seeking career changes.2. A pilot action (PR1) with 75 participants in partner countries to test and validate the training.3. The PPI Manager Digital Tool-Kit (PR2), innovative web-based tools supporting PPI Managers.4. A MOOC platform (PR3) making the course accessible as an Open Educational Resource (OER), ensuring the project's legacy.5. Dissemination of PPI knowledge to trainers, mentors, consultants, companies, and PAs to foster local innovation ecosystems.The project reached over 2000 individuals, including public procurers, SMEs, startups, and students in economics and management engineering. Additionally, it engaged 10,000 people on social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn, broadening its impact on innovation procurement."