Pilot projects

The transparency of PPP projects gives the public a chance to monitor and comprehend both development and results, given that contractual agreements between the private firms taking part in the scheme and the public awarding agencies describe in detail who has to do what. And: PPP is only an option where core sovereign activities (such as police) are not affected, and where traditional approaches would be less efficient.

The state's PPP Task Force currently looks after numerous specific construction projects. At state level various schemes of three university hospitals are being supported. The current brief also includes five local government schemes relating to construction, refurbishment or expansion of school buildings and gymnasiums. Furthermore, council office buildings are being built or refurbished in two cities. In addition a scheme of a municipal hospital is being accompanied. In June 2005 the project of County Lippe was chosen as the first pilot project in the sector of municipal streets. Meanwhile a second pilot project in this sector has emerged: the city of Harsewinkel is planning to build a bypass road.

In principle all pilot schemes can similarly be repeated elsewhere. In NRW, they are closely accompanied by the PPP Initiative to result in general conditions and guidelines for further PPP projects. Stakeholders expect the now launched projects to deliver better value for money and to be realised more efficiently through PPP than through traditional government procurement.