The United Nations’ $24.9 billion procurement market offers significant opportunities for Estonian companies, and many of those opportunities are well-suited to small and medium-sized enterprises. Contrary to popular belief, the UN often prefers working with agile, mission-driven SMEs. In fact, many contracts fall below the €50,000 threshold, making them highly accessible to smaller businesses aiming to expand internationally.
Proud Engineers was delighted to contribute to a recent seminar at Tehnopol focused on navigating the UN procurement landscape. The event featured expert speakers and practical insights on how Estonian companies can better position themselves in this global market.
Our expert, Hille Hinsberg, shared a case study from our successful collaboration with the UN Development Programme, underlining two critical factors for success: patience and relationship-building. Her experience underscored that trust and persistence are key to securing long-term partnerships in the international public sector.
Estonia’s growing presence in UN procurement is already showing results, with a turnover of 11.44 million USD in 2023 which is a promising increase from previous years.
This seminar was part of the INGOs project funded by the Central Baltic Interreg Programme. Its aim is to equip SMEs with the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to succeed in procurement with intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
We’re proud to be a trusted partner for UN-related organizations in digital governance and innovation — and even prouder to share our experiences to help others grow globally.