European Parliament Intergroup on SGIs explores the role of public procurement in advancing services of general interest and the social economy

On 13 May 2025, the European Parliament’s Intergroup on the Social Economy and Services of General Interest hosted a high-level event titled “The Revision of Public Procurement Directives – Setting the scene for Social Economy, SGIs & the EU”.

The event brought together over a hundred participants at the European Parliament to examine how the forthcoming revision of EU public procurement directives can better ensure high-quality services of general interest (SGIs) for citizens across Europe. It also had a strong focus on how it can suppport support the objectives of the social economy, which is the priority of the co-organiser of the event, Social Economy Europe.

Following the opening remarks from MEP Maravillas Abadía, co-chair of the Intergroup, and Juan Antonio Pedreño, President of Social Economy Europe, Roxana Minzatu, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, opened the discussion. She stressed the importance of public procurement as a key element of the EU economy as well as one of its strengths.

National policy insights were shared by Yolanda Díaz Pérez, Second Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Work and Social Economy and Véronique Louwagie, French Minister Delegate for Trade and the Social and Solidarity Economy.

This was followed by a roundtable discussion, gathering representatives from SGIs and social economy actors from the ground, including Nadine Fischer (SGI Europe / Stadtwerke Köln), Luigi del Giacco (SGI Europe / Utilitalia), Alain Coheur (EESC) and Ana Umbelino (REVES Network), moderated by MEP Ignazio Marino, co-chair of the Intergroup.  MEP Irene Tinagli, co-chair of the Intergroup, underlined the conditions under which public procurement can contribute to boost the EU Single Market, and not being an obstacle due to its current complexity.

Closing remarks were delivered by Valentina Schaumburger, Member of the Cabinet of Stéphane Séjourné, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, and by Pascal Bolo, President of SGI Europe. MEP Camilla Laureti, Vice-Chair of the Intergroup, offered final reflections: “In a context of complex and overlapping crises, with the review of the Directive on Public Procurement, we are at a crossroads and we finally have the opportunity to make procurement simpler and more enabling, while building a resilient, social and green European economy”.

The event reaffirmed the essential role of public procurement in building a more inclusive, green, and competitive European economy. It also underscored the need for an enabling legislative framework that empowers SGI providers, while ensuring the responsible and effective use of public funds. Participants stressed that for procurement to fulfil its strategic potential, it must remain flexible, accessible, and focused on delivering real value for public investment.