Open Market Consultation (OMC) for a future pre–commercial procurement (PCP) to buy R&D (research and development) services to solve circular economy challenges defined by the participating cities

This pre-commercial procurement (PCP) is carried out by Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture Secretariat in the name and on behalf of the buyers group. This prior information notice (PIN) provides early information about the expected starting date and purchase volume and about the open market consultation (OMC) that is organised in preparation of this pre-commercial procurement (PCP). The procurement aims to trigger new solutions to be developed and tested to address two challenges that correspond to an overarching need to increase the number of concrete practices in the Baltic Sea region that would drive the transition to circular economy. The procurement will be divided into two lots, each corresponding to one sub-challenge.

The following city specific challenges have been identified by the participating cities that seek to choose two most relevant challenges that would be posed as sub-challenges in the tender and fine-tune the tender specifications with the help of OMC:

- Turku: How might we create an accessible, unified platform or system that connects service providers contributing to the circular economy, making it easier for customers to discover and use their services?

- Tallinn: How can we develop an accessible and affordable tool or methodology that enables SM Es to evaluate and improve the circularity of their products or services, even if they lack in-house expertise or external support?

- Riga: How might we implement an interoperable, city-wide system or solution to eliminate single-use materials (such as cups, plates, and cutlery) at public events?

- Kiel: How might we create a system or solution for collecting, refurbishing, redistributing, and reusing second-hand components and items from buildings, fairs, and festivals?

- Gdynia: How might we develop an accessible, affordable, and sustainable solution — supported by cultural and creative sectors — to increase the reuse of bulky household waste?

- Aarhus: How might we develop a sustainable, circular, and culturally relevant solution to activate an underused dome structure at the harbour during the winter months?

Participants of the OMC are welcome to be creative and proactive with their suggestions for fine-tuning the challenges depending on the situation and beyond the challenges identified by the participating cities.