Over the past three years, dedicated teams from various departments including the Citizenship Area, Municipal Cooperation Service, Tarragona Impulsa (Social and Solidarity Economy Network), the Contracting Department, and the ICT Department have worked closely with representatives from Electronics Watch in Spain. This collaborative effort included valuable insights from Barcelona City Council, a neighboring municipality that has been an affiliate of Electronics Watch since 2016.

Tarragona City Council first became a consortium affiliate of Electronics Watch through the Catalan Association of Municipalities (ACM) in 2018, benefiting from framework contracts that incorporate Electronics Watch clauses. As part of a proactive commitment to ethical procurement, Tarragona has now pursued direct affiliation. This move allows the city council to leverage the full spectrum of support offered by Electronics Watch, including comprehensive Monitoring Status Reports, and bespoke one-on-one guidance.

This strategic affiliation is a cornerstone of Tarragona's compliance with the Local Cooperation Plan 2024, emphasizing the city's dedication to responsible procurement and the advancement of human rights.

Cecilia Mangini Schäfer, Development Minister for Tarragona City Council stated, "By affiliating to Electronics Watch, Tarragona is highlighting the importance of public policy coherence and how procurement can be a tool to implement ethical and socially responsible purchasing practices. This commitment will allow us to ensure the rights of workers in the supply chains of the products we procure, thus reaffirming the strength of public procurement in guaranteeing respect for human rights."

With this affiliation, Tarragona City Council sets an example for other municipalities, showcasing the power of integrating ethical considerations into public procurement processes.