Oslo, May 2025 — In a landmark gathering of public procurement experts and innovators, the first BBWT Hackathon on charging infrastructure wrapped up this week in Oslo, hosted by the City Council of Oslo and facilitated by Comte Bureau. Over two days, representatives from public authorities across Europe came together to confront some of the most pressing barriers to the green transition and to reimagine what public procurement can achieve.
From electrified construction sites to shared procurement risks, participants tackled real-world problems with bold ideas and a collaborative mindset. Discussions revealed both technical and institutional challenges, including limited energy capacity, winter-specific infrastructure needs, and fragmented procurement practices.
But the event wasn’t just about problems—it was mainly about possibilities. Teams pitched forward-looking concepts like an AI-powered procurement tool, a “tender tinder” board game to help match suppliers and buyers, and a market academy to bridge knowledge gaps between stakeholders. A recurring theme was the need for shared learning, honesty about failure, and experimentation.
Participants also explored Oslo’s cutting-edge infrastructure in a walking tour featuring joint-use charging stations for both heavy-duty vehicles and maritime transport. LEGO bricks even made an appearance, reminding everyone that strong foundations—literal and figurative—are key to building scalable solutions.
The hackathon marked the start of a broader series under the BBWT initiative, dedicated to accelerating sustainable innovation through public buying power. With contributions from across Europe and a strong emphasis on collective progress, this first edition set the tone for future collaboration.
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