In an era of increasing public scrutiny, high uncertainty, complex global challenges, and heightened demand for transparency, effective public procurement has become a cornerstone of good governance. By putting in place strong risk management structures and processes, Greece can ensure that its public procurement sector, which represents around 12% of GDP, supports the achievement of public service goals, sustainable economic growth, and citizens’ trust.
Given its scale and financial impact, public procurement in Greece faces distinct challenges, including risks related to efficiency, transparency, and accountability. These risks are amplified by global pressures, such as increased demand for digital services and the need for resilient, integrity-focused processes that minimise the risk of mismanagement and corruption. Recognising these challenges, the Greek government has undertaken numerous reforms in procurement, integrity and risk management. Building on these reforms, it has partnered with the European Commission on the project "Enhancing Transparency and Integrity in the Public Procurement System through an Integrated Risk Management System" funded via the Technical Support Instrument and implemented with the OECD. One of the objectives of this Project is to develop a robust risk management framework that supports effective risk mitigation throughout the procurement lifecycle. This project is particularly relevant given that significant investments being made under Greece’s Recovery and Resilience Plan are channelled through public procurement.
Developed in close collaboration with the National Transparency Agency (NTA), and in consultation with the Hellenic Single Public Procurement Authority (HSPPA), the General Secretariat for Commerce (previously the General Secretariat for Commerce and Consumer Protection - GSCCP), and other relevant stakeholders, this report aims to promote a culture of risk management across all levels of public administration, recognising that public procurement is an area where risk management is particularly crucial due to its impact on public service quality and efficiency.
This report provides a comprehensive guide for Greek public entities to adapt and implement the general Risk Management Policy and Framework, mandated under Law 5013/2023 and aligned with Greece’s National Strategy for Public Procurement (NSPP) 2021-2025, specifically for the high-stakes field of public procurement. It provides a structured approach to managing procurement-related risks by outlining methods for risk identification, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring across the entire procurement lifecycle.