PPP in Denmark: Are Strategic Partnerships between the Public and Private Part a Way Forward?

It is the aim of the paper to contribute to the discussion on restating the PPP principles. The paper is based on an ongoing research project: ”Procuring Facilities Management through PPP´s”. A review of litterature with a critical, but positive attitude towards PPP is given. An overview of PPP in Denmark is presented.

Only a few PPP´s have been initiated and though more might be in the pipeline, it is likely that the market for PPP is too small. Government policy is positive toward PPP. Private financing is not seen as an essential part of PPP. Attitudes among participants in PPP isare described on the basis of 11 open interviews.

Though the principles of PPP are considered to favour innovation and whole life costing, doubts are also raised about the possibilities for realization of the potentials of PPP. The dDanish situation points towards a need for a broader view on how innovation and whole-life thinking can be released in PPPs.

The question is raised whether the formation of partnerships between the public and private part might be a way forward for PPP in Denmark and elsewhere.