Introduction: A Turning Point for SMEs Europe's 26.1 million SMEs represent the backbone of the EU economy (European Commission SME Performance Review, 2025), yet they face mounting pressure to demonstrate sustainability credentials. The Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs (VSME), officially adopted by the European Commission on July 30, 2025 (EC Press Release IP/25/1843), marks a watershed moment for smaller businesses striving to integrate sustainability an

Public procurement serves as a powerful instrument for innovation and sustainability, accounting for nearly 14% of the European Union’s GDP. Yet, despite its scale and transformative potential, procurement that truly drives innovation remains the exception rather than the norm.