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News & Press Releases - Fair procurement for the public sector

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13 December 2023 More eco-fair in the future: Krefeld and Dormagen invited to the Niederrhein market dialogue

At the end of a one-year pilot project on eco-fair workwear, the cities of Krefeld and Dormagen, together with FEMNET, invited regional suppliers to exchange ideas. The practice-oriented program and the triad of regional specialist retailers, manufacturers and municipalities received a lot of positive feedback from all sides.

The aim of the market dialogue was to get an idea of the current market situation in a transparent and open process and to convey municipal wishes and requirements for products. What's special about this event: The focus was not on tendering, but on decentralized direct purchasing. How can the various specialist areas more easily procure sustainably produced workwear in the future?

From the trade they got positive signals: Many specialist retailers and brands in the region already offer eco-fair produced alternatives and sometimes even have targeted consulting services. For city employees, this means: Demands are worth it! When asked whether they could imagine making their ranges even more sustainable in the future, participating companies answered yes in advance in an online survey. The readiness on the supply side is therefore present.

A decisive factor is the knowledge of credible seals and certificates. As a best practice example, Susann Eube, Commissioner for Equality, Integration and Fairtrade, reported from the city of Markkleeberg on how the sustainable direct purchase there is supported, for example, by regular training offers for municipal employees.

© FEMNETIn addition to the pilot project with FEMNET, Aileen Wichmann, coordinator for municipal development policy of the city of Dormagen, also accompanies the creation of a purchasing guide. The process is participatory so that buyers can get involved. "In addition to binding requirements, it is particularly important to make the transition process easier for procurers and to provide them with well-prepared information," says Wichmann. The city of Krefeld also plans to develop such assistance in the future.

Hannah Finke, Sustainability Officer at the City of Krefeld, sums up: “The market dialogue was a complete success. All sides were able to take important information with them and in sum it shows that we are on the right track, especially in the eco-fair procurement of textiles. Administrations are calling for stricter production requirements and the market is evolving accordingly, so that needs can also be met.”

For one year, FEMNET has accompanied ten departments of the city of Krefeld and the city of Dormagen in a joint pilot project. The FEMNET project ‘Procurement fairchange” is funded by Engagement Global with its Service Point Communities in the One World (SKEW) with funds from the BMZ. It is supported by Fairtrade Germany.