In the previous project Procurement-driven Innovation for Regional Growth, it has been noted that there is a will among contracting authorities to change their way of procuring, but that there is no knowledge of how, something that is related to today’s systems and structures. There is a strong correlation between sustainable business and soft values, where everyone’s needs are utilised before demands. But there is a built-in problem in today’s procurement procedure of numerical evaluation criteria that make it difficult to satisfy needs and good business. There are no models to describe how soft values affect the sustainability of purchases of goods and services in the short and long term. This knowledge could form the basis for risk analyses in how purchases can guide decisions on how to weight and prioritise in the challenges. This means that you must be able to count on these soft values. Being able to cost the different parameters of the concept of sustainability could mean that soft values are given a completely new meaning and value meter for public sector organisations. Objectives Overall targets: Creating growth for SME companies in the region through a changed approach to public procurement, which also leads to increased impact and outcome of public procurement from a sustainability perspective. The goal of the project: Generate a new dimension of sustainability within the public procurement process, where soft values are a natural value meter on a good business for all involved and that leads to Regional growth in the short and long term. The project has changed the structure and implemented a new approach to public procurement in the Region and the process has been initiated in several of the county’s municipalities. Some milestones – More public procurements have been carried out in such a way that more micro and SME companies can participate. (4-6 public procurements have been carried out as case/pilots in the project). — Increased collaboration between the public sector and the private sector and create a test environment for companies. Approximately 25 meetings/dialogues have been carried out during the project period. — New measurement variables have been developed for soft values in the evaluation of criteria for public procurement. — Model for national/health economic parameters has been developed that will provide a basis for decisions ahead of public procurements. — Gathering knowledge and dissemination of results nationally and internationally. Increased knowledge of structure and female entrepreneurship in public procurement. Some expected results at project conclusions – The target groups are gradually gaining an increased network, through conscious work with contact-creating activities of different kinds. Knowledge of why new ways of working and knowledge of sustainable purchasing/procurement processes are important to be able to do sustainable business. — The knowledge of the public actors regarding SMEs‘/innovators’/micro-company’s preconditions, requirements and needs for real participation in the public transaction. — Areas that are important development areas for public business from a client perspective are made visible to the different companies. — Increased knowledge of what life cycle assessments can mean to make public business sustainable. Increased knowledge about how companies run by women experience public business – Increased knowledge among companies, regions and municipalities about public procurement opportunities to drive development and innovation. Expected long-term effects – Closer collaboration between municipalities, region and regional companies have been established. — Extended network of different competences nationally and internationally has been created. — Increased knowledge of Regions and municipalities in the industries affected in cases/pilots. — Created experience of the working method and examples that can be used for dissemination regionally and nationally. Increased knowledge about the economic effects of sustainable procurement from an economic, social, gender and environmental perspective in the Region.