Practitioners’ Seminar: European Public Procurement Rules, Policy and Practice

This comprehensive 3.5-day practitioners’ seminar offers a full, structured overview of European public procurement, combining essential foundations with an in-depth exploration of the three procurement directives and the most relevant case law of the Court of Justice of the EU. Participants will be guided through Directive 2014/24/EU, the Utilities Directive 2014/25/EU and the Concessions Directive 2014/23/EU, with their practical application demystified and translated into actionable guidance for day-to-day procurement practice.

The seminar opens with a dedicated foundations module, providing a clear overview of the principles, legal framework and current revision process of EU public procurement rules, as well as a practitioner-led session illustrating how these rules work in practice. This day ensures that all participants – regardless of prior experience – are aligned on the core concepts, providing a solid basis for the more advanced discussions that follow.

The subsequent practitioners’ days offer an immersive journey through the complete procurement cycle under Directive 2014/24/EU –  from preparation and tendering to selection, award and contract execution – supported by extensive case law. Participants will then explore the specific regimes of the Utilities Directive and the Concessions Directive, illustrated through practical examples, exercises and recent CJEU judgments. The programme concludes with a dedicated session on the interface between public procurement and State aid, followed by an examination option or a wrap-up exercise for those not taking the test.

Together, these sessions create a coherent and practice-oriented learning experience, equipping participants with both the conceptual understanding and the practical tools needed to navigate the full EU public procurement framework with confidence.

This seminar is the mandatory building block for obtaining EIPA’s European Certification for public procurement professionals. See more information here.

What you will learn

Throughout the three-and-a-half-day seminar, you should gain a multifaceted comprehension of crucial aspects within European Public Procurement. By the conclusion of the seminar, you should expect to:

• Cultivate a robust understanding of the intricate European rules and fundamental principles governing public procurement, bolstered by case law illustrations
• Navigate the procurement cycle with confidence, gaining a comprehensive awareness of its diverse phases and practical implications in real-world scenarios
• Acquire invaluable insights into the realm of professional procurement practices, unveiling strategies and methodologies to optimise processes and outcomes
• Engage in a stimulating discussion alongside esteemed professionals boasting diverse backgrounds, fostering a rich understanding of varied approaches and challenges inherent in the realm of public procurement

Immerse yourself in a dynamic learning experience merging introductory insights with advanced perspectives, featuring engaging exercises and case studies. To maximise your learning, we recommend participants familiarise themselves with Directive 2014/24/EU prior to the commencement of the course, enhancing their grasp of the content and enabling more interactive discussions and practical applications during sessions.

After the course, participants will be able to handle procurement procedures more strategically and efficiently; assess risks; choose appropriate procedures; apply selection and award criteria correctly; and recognise the implications of key CJEU case law. They will be equipped to manage situations they may have previously found challenging, and to understand how the ongoing revision of the EU procurement directives may reshape future procedures and strategic procurement choices.

At the end of the seminar you will receive a certificate of attendance. You will have access to the slides as well as additional learning material for a duration of six months after the course.

Please click here for the exam opportunity at the end of this course.

This seminar is intended for officials from national, regional and local administrations and other public bodies from the EU Member States, candidate countries and European institutions and bodies as well as international organisations, who wish to familiarise themselves with European public procurement rules, policy and practice. It is equally relevant for legal experts, consultants and private sector professionals involved in public procurement, or working within the utilities and concessions sectors.

Project number: 2630802

Course venue
European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA)
O.L. Vrouweplein 22
6211 HE, Maastricht
The Netherlands

Project Management Officer
Ms Belinda Vetter
Tel: +31 43 3296382
b.vetter@eipa.eu

Fee
The fee includes documentation, refreshments, lunches, a dinner and a guided tour of Maastricht. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

Discounts
EIPA member fee
EIPA offers a discount to all civil servants working for one of EIPA’s supporting countries, and civil servants working for an EU institution, body or agency.

Who are the supporting countries?
Civil servants coming from the following EIPA supporting countries are entitled to get the reduced fee: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden.

For all other participants, the regular fee applies.

Early bird discount
EIPA offers 10% off on registrations made eight weeks or more before the start of a course. The early bird discount is not cumulative with other discounts or promo codes, except for the EIPA member fee.

Loyalty coupon
As a token of appreciation we offer all our participants a loyalty coupon for one of our future courses. The offer can be shared with colleagues and relevant networks. The coupon will expire one year after its release. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts, except for the EIPA member fee.

Meals
Dietary preferences can be indicated on the registration form.

Hotels
EIPA has a special price arrangement with a few hotels. The hotels are within walking distance of EIPA. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel upon checking out.

• Derlon If you wish to take advantage of this special price, please click on the hotel name to book directly using the link
  info@derlon.com
  +31 (0)43 321 67 70
• Townhouse If you wish to take advantage of the special price, use the word ‘EIPA’ in the promotion code field
  info@townhousehotels.nl
  +31 (0)43 323 30 90
• Mabi If you wish to take advantage of the special price, use the word ‘EIPA’ in the promotion code field
  info@hotelmabi.nl
  +31 (0)43 351 44 44
• Kaboom Hotel If you wish to take advantage of the special price, use the word ‘EIPA’ in the promotion code field
  info@kaboomhotel.nl
  +31 (0)43 325 33 40
• Leonardo Boutique Hotel
  reservations.maastrichtcitycenter@leonardo-hotels.nl
• The Social Hub If you wish to take advantage of the special price, use the word ‘EIPA2026’ in the promotion code field

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed online registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation.

Cancellation policy
For administrative reasons you will be charged €150 for cancellations received within 15 days before the activity begins. There is no charge for qualified substitute participants.

EIPA reserves the right to cancel the activity up to 2 weeks before the starting date. In that case, registration fees received will be fully reimbursed. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, accommodation, etc.).

A few days before the start of the course you will receive the log-in details for accessing the course materials. You can log in here.