– Intermediate Course – 

Social procurement is becoming an increasingly more important feature of procurement and frequently offers opportunities for impact including active engagement of social enterprises and social value being realised through public procurement. This course provides a deep understanding of social procurement and how it can be implemented in Ireland for public bodies. It will draw upon the EU legal framework and Irish and international good practice.

Date & Duration

This course is delivered online via Zoom as two half-day programmes.

Next dates: Friday 7^th and Friday 14^th November 2025 (9.30 am to 1 pm)

This course is suitable for those working in the public, utility or third sectors (charities, NGOs, social enterprises etc) who wish to understand how public contracts can be leveraged to deliver social outcomes.

This course can also be delivered in-house and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your organisation or group depending on the level of adoption of social procurement within your organisation, particular categories or topics of interest. Please contact us.

Target Audience

This course is designed for participants experienced in the practical application of public procurement who are seeking to expand their knowledge of the options available to implement social considerations into procurement.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will gain an understanding of the social risks/benefits which can be effectively addressed via procurement and tried-and-tested approaches to delivery. Topics addressed include social inclusion/equalities, accessibility, employment and skills, human and labour rights. Course content has been fully updated to reflect the latest developments in 2025.  The trainer, Abby Semple has over 18 years of experience with public procurement, including 15 years working on sustainable procurement in Ireland and across Europe. A variety of case studies, practical examples and exercises are included in each day’s content. Participants will also receive reference documents to assist with implementation of social procurement.

Course Content

Day 1 – Fundamentals of Social Procurement

• What is SRPP? Definition, Irish and international context, history and  EU legal framework
• Planning for social procurement: risk and opportunity assessment, stakeholder engagement
• Approach 1: Who can bid? Including social enterprises and using reservations (Articles 20 and 77). Legal framework and examples.
• Group exercise/discussion on Who can bid
• Questions and Answers

Day 2 – Implementing Social Procurement

• Approach 2: What are we buying? Addressing social risks and benefits in technical specifications and award criteria. Legal framework and examples.
• Group exercise/discussion on What are we buying
• Approach 3: How to buy? Light touch regime, contract performance conditions and managing contracts. Legal framework and examples.
• Specific issue 1: Abnormally Low Tenders (definition, legal framework, and worked-through example)
• Specific issue 2: Data protection and AI in public contracts (risks and opportunities, legal framework and worked-through example)
• Questions and answers

Cost

Training delivered by: Abby Semple
Procurement Consultant, Greenville Procurement