Education Procurement Service & Department of Education and Youth shortlisted for Best Procurement Collaboration Project of the Year at National Procurement Awards 2026

Recognised in the 2026 awards programme, Education Procurement Service & Department of Education and Youth have been named as finalists at the National Procurement Awards 2026, shortlisted for Best Procurement Collaboration Project of the Year - Infrastructure & Public Services for the Government's Free Schoolbooks Scheme. The awards were presented at the Gala Ceremony on 6 November 2025 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry. . 

The nomination recognises the organisations' collaborative approach to delivering a compliant central procurement process that supports schools across Ireland. The initiative brought together multiple units within the Department of Education and Youth, working in consultation with schools' management bodies and supplier stakeholders to establish a structured framework for schoolbook procurement.

The Free Schoolbooks Scheme enabled 426 schools nationwide to purchase schoolbooks for the 2025/26 school year and beyond through a centralised procurement model. By coordinating across internal departments, educational stakeholders, and supplier networks, the project delivered a solution that balances regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and educational policy objectives.

The initiative demonstrates how procurement collaboration can support national policy implementation while maintaining stakeholder engagement across diverse groups. The project's success reflects the ability to align procurement processes with public service delivery requirements, ensuring schools have access to compliant, efficient procurement mechanisms.

The Best Procurement Collaboration Project of the Year - Infrastructure & Public Services shortlisting reflects the organisations' ability to coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder procurement operations that deliver tangible outcomes for Ireland's education system while establishing a sustainable framework for future cycles.

Finalists for the National Procurement Awards 2026 represent organisations demonstrating innovation, strategic vision, and measurable impact across Ireland's procurement landscape. The awards recognise excellence in procurement transformation, sustainability leadership, and operational excellence.

For exclusive news and sector updates, visit the official National Procurement Awards website.