Gender-responsive Public Procurement

Public procurement accounts for a major part of the European economy. Every year, public authorities in the EU spend around 14 % of gross domestic product (GDP) on public procurement. GRPP can, as a gender equality measure, lead to an increase in the productive capacity of the economy and better value for money.

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This section outlines the importance of the legal, regulatory and policy frameworks that inform the use of GRPP, including the six preconditions that have the potential to deliver the best application of GRPP:

1. Legal framework cross-references gender equality and public procurement
2. Public procurement strategies cover GRPP or include gender equality as an objective
3. Gender equality action plans or strategies mention public procurement / GRPP as a tool to promote gender equality
4. Capacity-building programmes, support structures and guidelines promote GRPP
5. Regular collaboration between gender equality bodies/departments and public procurement offices is in place
6. Effective monitoring and reporting systems on the use of GRPP are in place

Tool 1: Self-assessment questionnaire  Tool 2: Overview of national frameworks relevant for GRPP

This section looks at the different stages of the procurement cycle. You will find practical guidance on how to include gender considerations at each step of the procurement cycle. Guidance is coupled with national examples on the use of GRPP and practical tools. 

Pre-procurement stage   Procurement stage   Post-procurement stage