CFIT News and Season's Greetings, December 2024

Growth through new and existing CFIT participants

The CFIT Pact exists because of and for its participants. With a diverse network of coordinating, procuring, and supporting organizations actively engaged, we are well-positioned to drive tangible change and promote responsible practices in our own organizations and the ICT industry.

This year, we proudly welcomed several new procuring organizations to the CFIT Pact, including the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the City of Malmö. In addition, the Government of Ireland, through the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), joined as a coordinating participant. We are equally delighted to see the continued commitment of our existing participants, representing organizations from over 15 countries. The support of organizations such as the Global Electronics Council, TCO Development, and Electronics Watch is greatly appreciated. Their invaluable knowledge and expertise amplify our collective efforts, enriching the work we do. Looking ahead, we are excited about the prospect of welcoming new participants in early 2025.

What can you expect when you join the CFIT Pact? We currently focus on fostering dialogue and joint learning, sharing experiences and practical approaches to develop good practices and guidance that builds on the principles of the CFIT Framework for Circular and Fair ICT Procurement. If your organization shares our vision, reach out to the CFIT Pact secretariat to explore the possibility of joining. Whether you're ready to take your first step or advance further, you can learn from and collaborate with CFIT participants worldwide. Contact us at CFIT@rws.nl.

From CFIT’s Framework to practice: new case studies!

The mission of the CFIT Pact, is to make sustainable and fair ICT procurement the new standard. Built on the principles of Buy Less, Buy Better, Use Better, and Use Longer, our goal is to share practical insights through fully accessible case studies. We would like to highlight the two latest ones:

• Rethinking the procurement of smartphones: OVAM and DOMG from Flanders, Belgium, have shown that it is possible to adopt more sustainable IT alternatives in a cost-effective way. Their experiences offer valuable insights into how organizations can think outside the box and make environmentally-conscious decisions without compromising on functionality.
• The second case study features the Government of Ireland, which successfully launched a framework contract for purchasing remanufactured laptops. This initiative not only supports circular procurement but also serves as a model for other public organizations looking to adopt similar practices.

These case studies provide practical lessons for others in the field. Stay tuned for more case studies and updates as we continue to build a global knowledge base on sustainable and fair ICT procurement. In January, we will also publish a manual for public buyers on promoting due diligence through ICT Procurement, which was developed in collaboration with Boris Verbrugge of KU Leuven / HIVA Institute. Follow us on LinkedIn to be informed when this report becomes available.

Meet the CFIT Pact Secretariat
The CFIT Secretariat plays a vital role in coordinating our program’s activities and ensuring effective representation of our CFIT participants. To stay connected and informed, we attend key events throughout the year. In the first quarter of 2025, Ekaterina Smid Gankin from the CFIT Pact Secretariat will be present at the following events. If you are interested in learning more about the CFIT Pact, scheduling a side meeting, or connecting in person, please feel free to reach out to us at CFIT@rws.nl.

Upcoming Events
January 28, 2025: Industry Roundtable Circular IT (Bern, Switzerland) This in-person roundtable, organized by our CFIT Participant Swiss Federal Office for the Environment and Prozirkula, will focus on Circular IT. Fluency in German is required. For more details, click here.

March 3-6, 2025: Mobile World Congress (Barcelona, Spain) The Mobile World Congress is a leading global event in mobile connectivity, featuring pavilions from various countries, offering extensive knowledge missions and networking opportunities. More information is available here.