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Circular Impact Procurement Initiative (CIPI)
The Circular Impact Procurement Initiative (CIPI) is a groundbreaking program by Yunus Environment Hub, funded as part of the Nachhaltig Wirken program by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus). CIPI aims to transform procurement practices, empower social businesses that offer circular economy products and services, and accelerate Germany’s transition to a circular economy. By fostering impactful collaborations between social businesses and private and public sector organizations, CIPI drives circular value chains and sustainable innovations.
Vision and Goals
The goal of the initiative is to foster a dynamic and sustainable ecosystem where social businesses and private and public procurers collaborate effectively. This involves equipping procurers with the knowledge and tools to integrate circular economy solutions into their supply chains while enabling social businesses to scale their circular products and services. By establishing strong partnerships and facilitating targeted support, we aim to transform procurement processes to prioritize circularity, sustainability, and impactful innovation.
Program Benefits
For Procurers:
- Support in meeting CSRD requirements through circular supply chain activities.
- A cost-efficient, external approach to enhance sustainability and circularity levels.
- Direct contact and access to a diverse range of circular solution providers.
- Long-term capacity building for implementing circular strategies aligned with the common good.
For Social Businesses:
- Increased visibility through publications, events, and workshops (e.g., as case studies).
- Direct engagement opportunities with private and public procurers.
- Tailored one-on-one consultation sessions to achieve procurement-readiness.
- Capacity building to strengthen and scale circular solutions.
Through collaboration, education, and action, we create a future where procurement drives economic, social, and environmental progress.
Key Challenges in Procurement
Procuring organizations today face significant challenges driven by climate change, new regulations (e.g., CSRD), and heightened societal expectations. The transition to a low-carbon economy requires companies to rethink their procurement strategies to align with net-zero goals. Resource scarcity and increased supply chain risks caused by geopolitical challenges and environmental shocks lead companies to think procurement more locally and circularly. Nevertheless, finding suitable partners for such solutions remains a challenge.
Social businesses that provide circular solutions have the potential to serve as suppliers and partners to fill this gap. They are driven by social and/or ecological purpose and create innovative and sustainable solutions. What they need to grow is more visibility, acceleration support, and access to business networks.
CIPI bridges these gaps by empowering both procurers and suppliers through knowledge transfer, networking, and tailored training.
CIPI: Bridging the Gaps
CIPI tackles these challenges through the following approaches:
1. Knowledge Transfer: CIPI provides free access to research, reports, and practical tools to help stakeholders understand and implement sustainable procurement practices effectively. This includes:
- Publications analyzing procurement trends, identifying gaps, and sharing best practices.
- Toolkits designed to enhance procurement readiness.
- Real-world case studies showcasing successful partnerships in action.
2. Networking Opportunities: CIPI organizes events that foster connections between procurers and suppliers of circular solutions. This includes:
- Industry-specific networking events.
- Showcases of innovative circular solutions.
- Open forums to explore collaboration opportunities.
3. Training Programs: Tailored training modules provide participants with the expertise and tools necessary to excel in circular procurement and market readiness. This includes:
- Comprehensive learning journeys combining lectures, interactive workshops, and personalized consultations.
- On-demand advisory sessions for tailored guidance.
Join Our Events & Learning Opportunities
We offer a diverse range of events, learning opportunities, and networking formats to advance Circular Impact Procurement and equip stakeholders with the tools they need to drive impactful change. Our program includes information sessions, webinars, workshops, masterclasses, and personalized consultations, ensuring that businesses and public institutions can adopt more circular and socially responsible procurement practices, while highlighting social enterprises as key opportunities to achieve these goals effectively
Information Session
Our reoccurring Information Session will show how companies and public institutions can benefit from circular and socially responsible procurement—and how CIPI supports this through practical formats like webinars, workshops, networking opportunities, and tailored consulting.
Next Session: 11 April 2025 | 10:00–10:30 CET | Virtual
Webinar Series
Our webinar series provides practical insights, case studies, and strategic guidance on circular procurement. These sessions are designed for procurement professionals, sustainability managers, and social businesses looking to navigate and leverage circular procurement practices effectively.
Introduction to Circular Impact Procurement
30 April 2025 | 10:00–11:00 CET | Virtual
How do I implement Circular Impact Procurement in practice? This webinar will show how companies and public institutions can integrate circular solutions into their procurement, what role circular public-interest companies play in this, and what successful collaborations already exist.
Become ‘Procurement Ready’ as a Circular Social Business
23 May 2025 | 10:00–11:00 CET | Virtual
Fit for B2B procurement – Learn how to position your Circular Social Business for cooperation with procurers, create convincing offers, and meet all relevant requirements.
Navigating Public Procurement
27 June 2025 | 10:00–11:00 CET | Virtual
Understanding and utilising access to public contracts. Learn which framework conditions apply to public procurement, how tenders work, and how successful collaborations with public procurers are established.
Get Involved
Whether you are a private or a public organization seeking to advance your sustainability efforts or a social business aiming to broaden your market reach, CIPI provides the resources, partnerships, and platform to help you achieve your goals.
Stay informed and join the circular impact procurement movement by signing up for our newsletter. Be notified to discover more about our programs, upcoming events, and ways to get involved.
Images by Freepik.
