Public procurement professionalisation

Public procurement has been swiftly shifting from a compliance-based discipline, supporting public-sector financial management, into a much more complex strategic function, supporting economic development and sustainability. This requires public procurement officials to develop a more comprehensive skillset.

The integrity and capacity of these officials are important elements of a sound procurement system that delivers economy, efficiency and value for money in the use of public funds. Professionalisation in public procurement has therefore become a priority in many countries.

Through PPD, the EBRD has supported this shift from an early stage, including by establishing and co-founding the International Master in Public Procurement Management (IMPPM) with the University of Rome Tor Vergata in 2012. This full postgraduate university Master’s course is delivered in one calendar year.

Following its success, a Master in Public Procurement Management (MPPM) was established at the University of Belgrade in 2017. The family of IMPPM programmes was expanded in 2024 to support Ukraine, through close cooperation with Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics.

The objective of these programmes is to build procurement capacity through a comprehensive and structured English-language university curriculum that addresses the needs of senior managers of public procurement authorities and major public entities. The success of these courses has been recognised internationally and has boosted the reputation of the EBRD, as the main sponsor and supporter of these programmes during their early years. Many procurement officials among the Bank’s clients have attended the programmes.

While the EBRD no longer financially supports the IMPPM and MPPM, it remains a strong partner, with EBRD staff conducting lectures for some modules. The programmes have continued with funding from the African Development Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Med-Or Leonardo Foundation.

The IMPPM in Kyiv is supported by the EBRD, the Council of Europe Development Bank and the European Investment Bank.

Academic opportunities

The IMPPM, MPPM, and IMPPM Kyiv programmes offer a rare opportunity to join a globally connected network of procurement professionals. Participants gain not only advanced knowledge, but also access to international expertise, peer collaboration and career-enhancing perspectives that extend well beyond the classroom.

With a strong track record of alumni impact across public institutions and development organisations, these programmes are ideal for professionals ready to take on leadership roles in transforming procurement systems worldwide.