Public procurement, waste, EU budget, and pollution: our ongoing EU activities in focus

As the newly elected EU institutions begin their mandates, ACR+ has been actively engaging with institutions, expert groups, and diverse initiatives to ensure that sustainable resource management remains high on the policy agenda. We are focusing on key policy and legislative measures, including the Clean Industrial Deal, the Competitiveness Compass, the Circular Economy Act and the revised Public Procurement Directives, which are critical to advancing sustainability goals. The overview of our efforts during the first quarter of the year includes joining expert groups on waste and public procurement, publishing a paper on the EU budget, and answering consultations on public procurement and water resilience and efficiency. 

A key milestone is our participation in the European Commission Stakeholder Expert Group on Public Procurement. This engagement marks a significant step in contributing to the upcoming revision of the EU Public Procurement Directives. ACR+ is proud to contribute its expertise, through its participation in the expert group but also by sharing its position on the topic and answering the consultation on the revision.

In parallel, ACR+ has also been appointed to the European Commission’s informal expert group on waste. This will reinforce our role as a key contributor to EU waste policy discussions, where we provide technical input on waste prevention, recycling, and resource efficiency. Through this group, ACR+ will work to ensure that the perspectives of local and regional authorities are considered in the development and revision of waste legislation. 

Regarding consultations, in addition to replying to the consultation on the revision of the EU Public Procurement Directives, ACR+ has submitted a response to the European Commission’s public consultation on the Water Resilience and Water Efficiency First initiatives. In it, we highlight the crucial role of local and regional authorities in managing water resources and call for a robust governance framework. 

In collaboration with the Local Alliance—a coalition of leading city and regional networks—ACR+ published a policy paper advocating for a future-proof EU budget. The paper emphasises the essential role of local and regional governments in implementing EU programmes and calls for a stronger place-based approach, improved multi-level governance, and more accessible funding mechanisms. This initiative underscores the importance of aligning the EU budget with climate, social, and competitiveness objectives, ensuring that all territories are equipped to deliver on these goals. 

Finally, ACR+ took part in the 7th Zero Pollution Stakeholders Platform meeting in March. The European Commission presented its Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook Report and launched the EU Zero Pollution Dashboard, setting the stage for discussions on progress, challenges, and the way forward. Topics included implementation, integration of zero pollution targets into EU policies, innovation, and investment in clean technologies. ACR+ ensured that local and regional voices were represented, reinforcing the importance of inclusive and collaborative policymaking.