Introduction: A New Era for Public Procurement Innovation and Sustainability

Does public procurement need more rules or new ones to be a strategic engine for a greener and innovative Europe?

The SAPIENS Network is proud to announce the publication of “Rules for a New Era: Innovation and Sustainability’s Issues and Challenges in Europe,” edited by Professor Biancamaria Raganelli (Tor Vergata University). Besides connecting theory with practical examples, the book draws a roadmap for the “twin transition”, the simultaneous pursuit of digital innovation and sustainability.

This collective endeavour represents the culmination of years of interdisciplinary collaboration (2022–2025) financed by the European Commission. The project was nurtured by the Centre for Economic and International Studies (CEIS) and the Faculty of Economics of the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, creating a unique space where scholars, institutional representatives and practitioners could exchange experiences.

About the Open Access book

In our commitment to bridging the gap between research and practice, the book is available for free download. Whether you are a procurement officer, a policy-maker, or a sustainability expert, these insights are now at your fingertips. Download the Full Book (Free PDF)

What can you find? A Multidisciplinary Roadmap for the Twin Transition

This volume is structured to address the dual challenges of our time: the digital revolution and the green transition. By moving beyond traditional legal silos, the research offers a holistic view of how Europe is rewriting its “rules of the game.”

Section I: Navigating the Digital Frontier

The first half of the book dives deep into the complexities of Innovation. It explores a fundamental issue of our times: how to harness the power of Automated Decision-Making and Artificial Intelligence while safeguarding fundamental rights and national security. The chapters analyse the shifting landscape of Digital Markets and the EU Data Strategy, showing how information itself has become a tool for the green transition. Furthermore, the research investigates the “techno(eco)logical” market, examining how Financial Innovation, Open Finance, and State Aid Law are being redesigned to ensure that technological progress doesn’t come at the cost of unaccountability.

Section II: Concrete Pathways to Sustainability

The second half shifts focus to the practicalities of sustainability implementation via Public Procurement. It defines social sustainability as the bedrock of a resilient society and tackles the “nuts and bolts” of the green shift—from energy incentives and biodiversity protection to the strategic power of Public Procurement. Readers will find in-depth analyses of how procurement serves as an engine for innovation in utilities and construction, and how new rules are being crafted to support SMEs and inclusive market practices. The section concludes by looking at the role of the banking sector and the vital importance of STEM education in securing Europe’s socio-economic future.

Proudly, the volume features key research from SAPIENS Network members.

SAPIENS Network contributors

Two of our former Early Stage Researchers, now doctors, Valentina Bianchini and Aura Iurascu, have contributed pivotal chapters that showcase the continued impact of their research trajectories.

Dr Valentina Bianchini contributed to Section II, Chapter 4 titled “Sustainable Procurement as an Engine of Innovation in Public Utilities” (Co-authored with Martina Purilli). Valentina’s work addresses a critical gap: how can procurement be used to engage suppliers and actually drive innovation and sustainability? Using an in-depth case study of ACEA S.p.A., the chapter shows the importance of 3 factors:

• Normative Alignment: How translating procurement rules into organisational sustainability policies sets the stage.
• Performance Governance: The role of technology and structured supplier evaluation tools.
• Relational Learning: Engaging suppliers in innovative ways to foster long-term value creation.

Dr Aura Iurascu contributed to Section II, Chapter 5 titled: “Staying on Track: A Snapshot of the EU’s Sustainability Transformation in Public Procurement”. In her chapter, Aura provides a high-level strategic overview of the EU’s evolving agenda. Her research connects the dots between the Circular Economy, Industrial Strategy, and Economic Security. Key focus areas include:

• The integration of the Level(s) reporting tool and the new Construction Products Regulation.
• A comparative look at the Italian experience, specifically the 2025 Minimum Environmental Criteria for buildings.
• The “compliance gap”: Identifying how a lack of uniform remedies might risk undermining these ambitious European goals.

Further Resources: YouTube Webinar available

Beyond their publications, Valentina and Aura have been lecturing together to disseminate their research findings. In 2023, within the SAPIENS Webinar Series and in collaboration with the Jean Monnet Module, they delivered a guest lecture, sharing insights from their ongoing research with the next generation of scholars. If you are curious about the intersection of sustainability and procurement, you can watch the full lecture here.

Why This Matters?

For the SAPIENS Network, this publication reiterates the “multiplier effect” of MSCA funding and the Program’s effectiveness in providing early-career researchers with the tools and opportunities to lead the conversation on how Europe can reconcile regulatory constraints with the urgent need of our times, such as the twin sustainability-innovation transition.

Congratulations to Valentina, Aura, and Prof. Raganelli on this achievement! Join the conversation. Download the book, share the findings with your procurement teams, and let’s build a more sustainable and resilient market together.