The market consultation process for the pre-commercial public procurement initiative “Impact Enterprises Measure” continues. The initiative is promoted by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in collaboration with the Agency for Digital Italy (AgID).
The initiative falls within the framework of the Quadrilateral Agreement MAECI–AICS–DTD–AgID aimed at promoting innovative solutions in partner countries of international development cooperation. Its objective is to stimulate the development of sustainable, inclusive goods, services and business models oriented towards the creation of new markets in developing countries, with a particular focus on the African continent.
The innovation procurement, with an overall financial allocation of approximately EUR 50 million and structured in several phases, seeks to actively involve companies, start-ups, research centres, universities and other for-profit and non-profit actors in international development cooperation processes.
Prior to the publication of the call for tenders, AICS and AgID are conducting a market consultation to gather ideas, feedback and proposals from the market on entrepreneurial solutions capable of generating economic growth, decent work and social inclusion.
Business challenge and market testimonials
Within the framework of this consultation, several online events have been organised and have already recorded strong participation from economic operators.
The third event is scheduled for Monday, 22 December, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In continuity with the direct dialogue between public administration and the market, this meeting will be dedicated to testimonials from economic operators. Each participant will have up to 10 minutes to share their experience, present initiatives implemented in the target countries of development cooperation and provide suggestions for the optimal design of the call for tenders. This session is intended as a concrete opportunity for dialogue and for showcasing existing skills and initiatives.
Economic operators interested in presenting their testimonials are invited to send an email to appaltinnovativi@agid.gov.it, indicating their interest in speaking during the event and providing a brief description of the content of the testimonial they intend to present.
How to participate in the consultation
Eligible applicants include for-profit entities as defined under Article 27 of Law No. 125/2014, in partnership with universities, research centres and civil society organisations—both Italian and European—as well as entities active in the target countries of cooperation.
To participate in the event on 22 December, online registration is required by completing the registration form.
Further information on the initiative is available on the challenge page of the Appaltinnovativi.gov.it website.
The results of the previous consultation sessions, together with documents and video recordings, are published on the challenge diary page.