RSU lead researcher Dzintra Atstāja: public procurement may become important driving force for sustainability

Photo: Courtesy of the Sustainable Procurement Day conference

On 19 March, the Ulbrokas Pērle Culture Centre hosted the Sustainable Procurement Day 2026 conference, bringing together over 200 participants and more than 30 industry experts from the public and private sectors. During the event, discussions were held on the development of sustainable, socially responsible and innovative procurement in Latvia.

The Sustainable Procurement Award was presented for the first time in Latvia. Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and Sabīna Bušmane, Head of the Procurement Unit of the RSU Legal and Procurement Department, were nominated in the Socially Responsible Procurement and Sustainable Procurement Enthusiast/Leader categories.

Discussion on sustainable procurement

One of the conference’s main events was the discussion ‘Sustainable Procurement in Latvia: Between Ambition, Reality, and the Next Step’, which featured Dzintra Atstāja, Lead Researcher at the RSU Faculty of Social Sciences and expert of the Latvian Council of Science. During the discussion, the researcher emphasised the importance of science, data, and research in sustainable decision-making, highlighting that public procurement can become a key instrument in the transformation of society and the economy. Given that public procurement accounts for approximately 15–20% of global gross domestic product, its potential to influence sustainable development is significant.

‘Essentially, we are talking about sound management, a systemic approach, and thoughtful action,’

Atstāja pointed out, emphasising the need to integrate not merely formal but practically measurable circular economy criteria into procurement processes. Additionally, she stressed

the importance of assessing sustainability based on real results and impact, rather than merely the execution of procedures.

Importance of science and municipalities in policymaking

During the discussion, Atstāja highlighted the importance of science in policymaking, particularly how research and data potential can be used more efficiently in Latvia to assess the impact of public procurement on the environment, the economy, and society. At the same time, she noted that although regulations increasingly include requirements to adhere to the principles of the circular economy, these principles remain insufficiently defined in Latvia.

Referring to the latest research, Atstāja also emphasised the importance of municipalities in implementing sustainable practices. A 2024 survey of Latvian municipalities showed that municipalities more often than national institutions integrate green criteria into their procurement processes, confirming their potential to act as drivers of change.

From theory to practical action

The panel discussion confirmed that sustainable public procurement in Latvia is increasingly shifting from theoretical discussions to practical action, and that a science-based approach to this process is an essential prerequisite for forward-looking and effective decision-making.