Various EU documents have highlighted the vital contribution telecommunications and ICT applications could make to sustainable development by giving service suppliers based in rural areas a more competitive edge against their urban competitors. The EPROC project will promote and support the introduction of eProcurement – implementing ICT and eCommerce applications to an organisation’s procurement processes – in local authorities and other public sector organisations of the NWE area. The project partnership, led by the Welsh agency Antur Teifi Cyf, brings together a variety of private and public organisations from Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands. Since a number of areas in North West Europe are more advanced in eProcurement than others, mutual learning through transnational cooperation will ensure a more standardised and integrated means of development. Building on Baden Wurttemberg’s experience in the field of eProcurement, the project will look at possible applications within the public sector, its practical uses in both rural and urban settings, compare policies, assess benefits, establish common standards, share knowledge and develop specific software. The partnership hopes to insure long-term sustainability and viability for eProcurement through the local authorities and SMEs in the NWE region that have successfully adopted it. Achievements: The Guides: Understanding Local Authority e-procurement developments (a pocket guide for SMEs) - Understanding Local Authority e-procurement developments (a pragmatic guide for SMEs) - Understanding Local Authority Sustainable Procurement Developments (a pocket guide for SMEs) - E-procurement and Integration (a pocket guide for SMEs) - Adopting Sustainable E-procurement Practices (Guide for Local Authorities) - Sustainable e-procurement with SMEs (Local Authority Guide) - Case Studies – all available on website - On-line tutorials – on website.