- UAB Microcredential
- Code: 5253/101
- 1st edition
- Modality: Online
- Credits: 6 ECTS
- Start date: 12/12/2025
- Finish date: 20/02/2026
- Places: 30
- Orientation: Professional
- Price: 540 €
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Special price 162 €
Group of application: Amount with the NextGenerationUE Fund discount applied
- Teaching language: Catalan
- Location: Virtual
Public procurement is one of the most decisive tools for local government action. Through contracts, municipalities and other local entities not only provide essential services to citizens, but also drive the economic development of the territory and respond to major collective needs. However, the regulatory framework governing procurement is complex, subject to internal and external controls, and closely linked to values such as transparency, integrity, and good governance.
This microcredential offers a clear and practical approach to local public procurement. It is especially designed for elected officials and local management staff who, without needing to be technical experts, must understand the basic rules of the system, the risks involved, and the opportunities it can generate to positively transform the municipality.
The programs approach is highly practical, working with real examples, case studies, and collective debate spaces to share municipal experiences. The goal of the course is for participants to acquire solid criteria to make informed and responsible decisions in public procurement, for the benefit of the community they represent. More specifically, the course objectives are:
1. Understand the basic legal framework of public procurement applicable to the local level.
2. Identify the roles and responsibilities of elected officials in relation to procurement.
3. Distinguish the main procurement procedures and their practical application.
4. Understand the risks of nullity, liability, and control, and how to minimize them.
5. Promote best practices in transparency, ethics, and integrity in procurement.
6. Link procurement to local public policies such as sustainability, innovation, and social inclusion.
7. Develop criteria for strategic decision-making in local procurement.
Guiding principles: publicity, competition, equality, and transparency. Procurement as a political and management tool. Difference between political and technical roles. The 2017 Evaluation Law and other applicable regulations (sectoral, transparency, subsidies).
- Session 2. Actors and competencies in procurement.
The contracting authority and contracting bodies. Competencies and limits of local government bodies. The role of technical and legal services. The contractor: rights, duties, and profile. Conflicts of interest and incompatibility regime.
- Session 3. Types of contracts and thresholds.
Works, services, supplies, and special administrative contracts. Minor contracts: usefulness, risks, and good practices. Contracts subject to harmonised regulation. Budgetary impact and strategic planning of procurement.
- Session 4. Procurement procedures (I).
Open, restricted, and negotiated procedures: characteristics, advantages, and risks. Electronic tendering and public procurement platforms. Examples and analysis of real cases.
- Session 5. Procurement procedures (II).
Special procedures: competitive dialogue and innovation partnership. Consortia, associations of municipalities, and central purchasing bodies: cooperation and efficiency. Outsourcing and service concessions: opportunities and risks. Debate on municipal experiences.
- Session 6. Contract execution.
Obligations of the parties during execution. Supervision and control mechanisms. Penalties, contract modifications, and early termination. Accountability and active publicity as tools for transparency and good governance.
- Session 7. Oversight and auditing.
Internal control functions of intervention and secretariat. External oversight bodies: Audit Office, Court of Auditors, and anti-corruption agencies. Administrative, accounting, and criminal responsibilities. Practical cases of politicaland legal liability in local procurement.
- Session 8. Strategic public procurement.
Procurement as a tool for public policies (social, environmental, and innovation). Social and environmental clauses: limits and potential. Good practices and innovative experiences in responsible public procurement.
- Session 9. Integrative workshop and case study.
Presentation and collective discussion of real case studies and identification of common mistakes and good practices.
This microcredential offers a clear and practical approach to local public procurement. It is especially designed for elected officials and local management staff who, without needing to be technical experts, must understand the basic rules of the system, the risks involved, and the opportunities it can generate to positively transform the municipality.
The programs approach is highly practical, working with real examples, case studies, and collective debate spaces to share municipal experiences. The goal of the course is for participants to acquire solid criteria to make informed and responsible decisions in public procurement, for the benefit of the community they represent. More specifically, the course objectives are:
1. Understand the basic legal framework of public procurement applicable to the local level.
2. Identify the roles and responsibilities of elected officials in relation to procurement.
3. Distinguish the main procurement procedures and their practical application.
4. Understand the risks of nullity, liability, and control, and how to minimize them.
5. Promote best practices in transparency, ethics, and integrity in procurement.
6. Link procurement to local public policies such as sustainability, innovation, and social inclusion.
7. Develop criteria for strategic decision-making in local procurement.
Contents
- Session 1. Principles and regulatory framework.Guiding principles: publicity, competition, equality, and transparency. Procurement as a political and management tool. Difference between political and technical roles. The 2017 Evaluation Law and other applicable regulations (sectoral, transparency, subsidies).
- Session 2. Actors and competencies in procurement.
The contracting authority and contracting bodies. Competencies and limits of local government bodies. The role of technical and legal services. The contractor: rights, duties, and profile. Conflicts of interest and incompatibility regime.
- Session 3. Types of contracts and thresholds.
Works, services, supplies, and special administrative contracts. Minor contracts: usefulness, risks, and good practices. Contracts subject to harmonised regulation. Budgetary impact and strategic planning of procurement.
- Session 4. Procurement procedures (I).
Open, restricted, and negotiated procedures: characteristics, advantages, and risks. Electronic tendering and public procurement platforms. Examples and analysis of real cases.
- Session 5. Procurement procedures (II).
Special procedures: competitive dialogue and innovation partnership. Consortia, associations of municipalities, and central purchasing bodies: cooperation and efficiency. Outsourcing and service concessions: opportunities and risks. Debate on municipal experiences.
- Session 6. Contract execution.
Obligations of the parties during execution. Supervision and control mechanisms. Penalties, contract modifications, and early termination. Accountability and active publicity as tools for transparency and good governance.
- Session 7. Oversight and auditing.
Internal control functions of intervention and secretariat. External oversight bodies: Audit Office, Court of Auditors, and anti-corruption agencies. Administrative, accounting, and criminal responsibilities. Practical cases of politicaland legal liability in local procurement.
- Session 8. Strategic public procurement.
Procurement as a tool for public policies (social, environmental, and innovation). Social and environmental clauses: limits and potential. Good practices and innovative experiences in responsible public procurement.
- Session 9. Integrative workshop and case study.
Presentation and collective discussion of real case studies and identification of common mistakes and good practices.
Career opportunities
This microcredencial does not aim to open a new professional pathway, but rather to improve competencies and efficiency in the exercise of public responsibilities, by certifying knowledge in the field. Elected officials will be able to make more informed and strategic decisions regarding public procurement, as will municipal political leaders with roles in supervising, directing, or promoting projects related to contract management. The training helps strengthen the profile of elected officials as key agents in the transformation of the municipality and in promoting responsible and efficient public management.Scholarships and financial aid
Chek all the information on the possibilities for grants and scholarships in the page for UAB financial aids, grants and calls.
Coordinating centres
Escuela de Formación Permanente
Collaborating centres
ENG/Asociación Catalana de Municipios y Comarcas ACM
Contact
Judith Gifreu Font
Phone: 935811533
More information
With the funding of