From Pilot Action to Lasting Practice: Socially Responsible Public Procurement in Mala Subotica

One oThe experience of Mala Subotica illustrates how pilot actions developed within Danube4SEecosystem can evolve into sustainable public policy practices, contributing to stronger and more resilient social economy ecosystems across the Danube Region.f the most significant outcomes of the Danube4SEecosystem project in Croatia has been the successful introduction of Socially Responsible Public Procurement (SRPP) in the Municipality of Mala Subotica. What began as a pilot action has evolved into a long-term commitment to integrating social value into public procurement practices.

Within the Croatian Local Action Plan, PI REDEA, ACT Group and the Municipality of Mala Subotica implemented a pilot procurement procedure that incorporated social criteria into the purchase of promotional materials. The contract was awarded to Social Cooperative Humana Nova, a recognised Croatian social enterprise employing persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups while producing high-quality textile products.

Beyond the successful completion of the pilot, its greatest achievement has been the municipality's commitment to continuing the application of social criteria in future procurement procedures and exploring opportunities to extend this approach to additional sectors.

The pilot also strengthened cooperation between local public authorities, intermediary organisations and social enterprises, demonstrating that socially responsible procurement can generate measurable social impact without adding unnecessary complexity to procurement procedures. By sharing its experience with other municipalities, Mala Subotica is helping to promote SRPP as an effective tool for supporting social enterprises, creating employment opportunities for vulnerable groups and delivering lasting benefits for local communities.

The experience of Mala Subotica illustrates how pilot actions developed within Danube4SEecosystem can evolve into sustainable public policy practices, contributing to stronger and more resilient social economy ecosystems across the Danube Region.