The organization AIS, otherwise known as Open Data Albania, organized a workshop with journalists and activists on the topic of Monitoring Public Sectors, Databases and guaranteeing Accountability through Evidence based practices.
This event was held as part of the EU 4 Rule of Law Project: Civic Engagement for Public Integrity in the Western Balkans and Turkey, a project led by Transparency International, in collaboration with local partners and organizations. The Project is Funded by the European Union.
Albanian journalists and activists worked in the workshop to increase their knowledge on issues related to anti-corruption, evidence based practices as a basis for accountability and the use of databases and other tools for monitoring the public sector. An important moment of the workshop is also the work to create a Registry of High Level Corruption Cases, as seen by Journalists. Below you can find photos and videos from the Workshop
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2023-10-02-at-08.08.49.jpeg12001600adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2023-10-27 10:45:292024-02-27 19:47:32CEPI project with Transparency International, Workshop with journalists and activists, Monitoring of public sector databases and use of evidence based practices to accountability
The organization AIS/Open Data Albania organized, on October 23rd, in the city of Lezhe, a training with activists, journalists and representatives of non-governmental organizations. The subject of the training “Activism and Civil Society for Drafting, Consultation and Implementation of the State Budget in Parliament”.
The event was held within the framework of the Project “Increasing the Parliament’s Responsiveness to Citizens’ Concerns”, supported by the British Embassy in Tirana and implemented by a consortium led by IDM in partnership with AIS and Citizens Channel.
The objective of the Training was to raise the capacities of CSOs, activists and the media to contribute to the State Budget Planning, as well as Policies of Distribution and Expenditure of Public Money.
This training cycle will also be held in the municipalities of Lezhë, Diber, Shkodër, Kamëz, Tiranë and Malësi e Madhe, targeting representatives from Civil Society; Activists and Local Journalists.
The training aims to strengthen comprehension and monitoring skills in regards to the Drafting, Approval and Reporting Process of the State Budget in the Parliament, as well as raise responsiveness and participation capabilities during the phases of Planning and Approval of the State Budget and policies concerning Public Finances. Another aims of the training is to inform about the existing legal instruments who allow for participation, proposals or hearings in the Parliamentary Committees.
Activists from the Lezha district, apart from gaining insight from the lectures and the training curriculum, worked on practical cases, to help them gain a better response faculty regarding the budgeting and distribution of Public Money. The area of Education and its budgeting was one of the moments that aroused the most interest among the participants, emphasizing that the region faces two types of difficulties. The urban area faces limited capacities in public schools, overcrowded classes, lessons in shifts and a limited number of teachers. Meanwhile, in rural areas, schools operate with a very limited number of students, endangering the very existence of classes and schools and adversely affecting the education and life of the respective residents.
The event also highlighted the need for more support and more dignity for parents of children with specific needs and better management of social protection.
This project aims to strengthen the Parliament’s efforts to foster an enabling environment for the inherent engagement of citizens in policy making and legislative processes in the country, as a means of promoting public interest and building trust in the institution.
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2023-10-23-at-10.19.11.jpeg12001600adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2023-10-24 09:11:062023-10-25 09:59:43Activism and Civil Society for Drafting, Consultation and Implementation of the State Budget in Parliament
AIS’s commitment towards Transparency, as well as Improving Accountability and Dialogue within the Cluster 1 negotiation framework.
AIS is a local organization founded in 2011, best known as the promoter of Open Data Albania, working on Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance.
Focus: Open Data, Evidence Based Approach and Anti-Corruption.
AIS has contributed to fostering dialogue for better public policies through Research Articles; Publications, Litigation and drafting of Policy and Position Papers.
AIS is working with young people through its OpenDataFellowship Youth Network on educating, capacity building, as well as internshiping the fellows on articulation and public debate based in facts and data.
AIS is part of a Consortium of 4 Local NGO-s, aiming to Improve Policy Debate and Accountability in the Fulfillment of the First Group of Negotiating Chapters Cluster One, C1-EU-NPA.
AIS and IDM are local partners with Transparency International in the implementation of the Project “EU4Rule of Law: Citizens Engagement for Public Integrity (CEPI) in the Western Balkans and Turkey”.
AIS has built digital databases, based on the Open Data Standards, which have enabled the empowerment of public actors, through easy access to information and facilitation on the monitoring of the public sector (expenditures, procurements, contracting, asset declaration).
Open Procurement Albania.
For each tender we create a Passport containing information on the tendering procedure, by the first notification till at the Budget payment. The passport lists all the Tender Documents (the institutions stop publishing/advertising the relevant tender documents after the finalisation of the tendering).
The information, distributed by institutions is closed formats pdf, not consistent in time and not integrated or comprehensible to third parties.
The AIS team collects and gather all documents, data and information regarding a Tender and creates the integrated tender PASSPORT according to the Open Contracting Standard.
In the end, an algorithm for risk assessment makes it possible to mark with a Red Flag tenders displayingrisk of potential irregularities. The algorithm assesses only the variables of Competition and Competitiveness. Models: Instruments and Principles of Open Contracting Partnership; Risk Assessment Tools from Transparency International.
What have we found
Disclosed Data and RedFlag Assessment prompt media investigations; public debates; audits of the Supreme State Control, in some cases even Criminal Complaints in SPAK are based on Open Procurement Albania evidence.
15 to 35% of Tender procedures are RedFlaged, marked for displaying concerning competition and potential clientelism. Municipality tenders score 15% Redfleg procedures, while the Health Sector 30%.
Concentration of Tenders in the hands of Select few Competitors. Absence of foreign companies: 42% of the value tendered in the frame of the State Reconstruction Program was awarded to only 15 local companies.
Businesses Companies allegedly involved in money laundering of organized crime, were given the status of Public Contractor in tenders. (SPAK has started several investigations, complaints have been filed by MPs and the Opposition and evidence can be accessed via the OpenProcurementAlbania Database).
Special laws for certain programs and natural disaster situations have created room for Clientelism.
In 2021, around 28% of the tendered value was tendered through the Restricted Procedure, as established through the Special Law.
Debate and Accountability on Fulfillment of the First Group of Negotiating Chapters Criteria, chapter on Public Procurement
Comments/Recommendations in the framework of the Public Consultation Process regarding the Draft Law presenting Amendments to Law 162/2020.
The organization AIS, promoter of Open Data Albania, engaged in monitoring and identifying issues related to the Public Procurement, comments and recommendations regarding the draft law “On several additions and amendments to law no. 162, dated 23.12.2020 on Public Procurement”, that is currently in the Public Consultation Process and was presented by the Albanian Government in June-July 2023.
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2023-10-18-143008-1.png795973adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2023-10-20 10:43:222023-10-25 10:47:17Public Procurement in Albania - Matters of Practice and Legislation
As part of CI-EU-NPA “Improving the Debate on Policies and Accountability to fulfill basic rights through the creation of the Platform for Negotiations of Cluster I Albania”, AIS held a roundtable on the Needs for Change in Public Procurement Legislation. Member s of the Parliament, Mrs. Jorida Tabaku and Mr. Eduard Shalsi and representatives from the Public Procurement Agency, Mrs. Xhoana Ristani was part of this roundtable. This document comes within the framework of the Consultation process that the Albanian Government has announced for its Legal Initiative with Amendments to this Law. AIS has annylized this draft law taking into consieration EU Accession process where Public Procurement is cpart of Cluster 1. The three important aspects proposed by the Council of Ministers in the Draft are as follows:
a) Bringing the procurement process out of the public domain, that is, the inclusion of private-non-public entities that will play the role of Contracting Authorities in the public procurement process;
b) The establishment of another SPE Electronic Procurement System which in the draft is presented to us with the first two innovations SPE harmonized and integrated with other electronic systems and the second SPE which is accessed by paid users.
c) Defining Artificial Intelligence as a mechanism that will serve for the development of the SPE for the standardization of technical specifications, as well as the development of the dynamic purchase and electronic auction system using advanced Artificial Intelligence technology and robotic processes, etc.
AIS / Open Data Albania presented its position and analysis regarding these three aspects of the Legal Initiative of the Council of Ministers.
This event takes place in the framework of C1-EU-NPA “Improving the Debate on Policies and Accountability to fulfill basic rights through the creation of the Platform for Negotiations of Cluster I Albania”, a project implemented by four Albanian organizations: CSDG, ISP, AHC and AIS, with the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Albania in Tirana.
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3713.jpg32654898adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2023-10-11 09:54:092023-10-25 08:14:44The Need to improve the Public Procurement
On July 3rd, an event titled “Master Class: Electoral Integrity and Improvement through Data and Evidence-based Processes” was held. This event served as a platform for data analysts participating in the Open Data Fellowship Network’s Youth Capacity Building Program to present to their younger colleagues and those interested in issues related to electoral integrity. The presentations encompassed reports and analyses on this subject.
The participants in the event included representatives from relevant institutions and organizations such as OSCE, USAID, the Council of Europe, the Embassy of the United Kingdom, Westminster Foundation for Democracy Tirana WFD, Institute for Political Studies, RYCO Regional Program, SCiDEV, Union of Journalists, and local organizations.
Pajtim Nikolli presented findings on the Economic Power of 27 Media Owners in the country. The analysis involved identifying the number of businesses owned by each individual, the sectors in which they operate, their involvement as public contractors in public procurement, the benefits derived from their strategic investor status, participation in the “Albania 1 Euro” Program, and concession contracts and agreements with the Albanian state. This analysis shed light on the economic interests and influences of each owner. Media owners play a significant role in electoral matters, as their positions and interconnections within the business realm can potentially sway electoral opinions and sympathies.
Data on Media Owners are published in the Open Corporates Albania Shoqëri Biznesi (opencorporates.al), with the report set to be released on the Open Data Albania website soon.
Another important aspect that was presented and discussed during the event was the necessity of utilizing Information and Communication Technology in Electoral Processes. AIS, represented by its founder Besjana Hysa, showcased the Za’Lart Posts application Posts – Za’Lart 2017 – Za’Lart 2017 (ushahidi.io), which can be employed during elections to map irregularities and vote-buying. This application enables individuals to report electoral issues in real-time, providing visual evidence through photos and videos.
This event is part of a series of activities aimed at enhancing the capabilities of young people through the Open Data Fellowship Youth Network. The network was established as a component of the Open Data, Access, and Transparency over Sectors exposed to the Risk of Corruption project Open Data, Access and Transparency over sectors exposed to Risks of Corruption – Albanian Institute of Science (ais.al), supported by the Albanian Institute of Science (ais.al) through Sida and the Swedish Embassy in Tirana (2021-2024).
The AIS organization has been actively working with young people since December 2021, with the objective of strengthening their ability to combat corruption through civic education and improved fact-checking models. Throughout this period, the organization has organized numerous events Search Results for “youth” – Albanian Institute of Science (ais.al), including training sessions, debate forums, DataThons, individual sessions, and master classes for young individuals. These initiatives aim to help participants develop skills in public speaking, engage in evidence-based debates, and apply the principles of open data. The program is built upon a comprehensive training curriculum, with support from analysts at Open Data Albania, and offers an internship opportunity within the organization.
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20230703-WA0054.jpg7681024adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2023-08-16 09:34:522023-10-24 09:36:11Master Class on Electoral Integrity and Improvement through Data and Evidence-based Processes - Open Data Youth Fellowship
The apprehension, on corruption charges, of a senior official from the Ministry of Health coincides with grim developments in this sector’s public contracting
AIS, through its Open Procurement Albania database – the Health category, has been monitoring all relevant procurement procedures for years, assessing and marking with a Red Flag (risk of irregularities and clientelism) several of them, which exhibited clear markers of abuse.
Link Red Flag listing (risk for clientelism and irregularities)
Indeed, Health constitutes a sector, in which the Red Flag Tenders to the Total Tenders Ratio exceeds 40% of cases (in the case of municipalities, this indicator ranges from 15 to 25%).
However, the phenomenon of deterring officials only in flagrant cases of bribery, does very little to minimize corruption in the public procurement. The analysis, investigation or audit of risky procedures would lead to a better distribution of public money in this sector, which affects and has the potential, to further make the lives of patients in the health system, more vulnerable.
List of tenders of the Ministry of Health for which the Ministry has not yet announced the winner.
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/1-14.jpg922812adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2023-06-03 13:14:482023-06-03 13:14:48Tenders in the healthcare sector, 40% of procedures carry risk of clientelism, marked with a red flag
The organization AIS, promoter of Open Data Albania, organized on May 31st, a Debate and Presentation of a Policy Paper on the topic of Financial Control of State-Owned Corporates (SOC – State Owned Corporates).
Financial Control, as in chapter 32, part of Cluster 1, in the process of fulfilling the conditions and standards for Integration.
State Owned Enterprises or Companies are a risky sector in terms of management and control of finances and assets. The Integration Process targets efforts and models which in the SOC sector are far from meritocracy management, effective performance, sound financial management and multi-level auditing.
The Policy Paper, drafted by AIS, was presented by the expert Professor Dr. Lindita Milo (Lati). The document analyzes the situation in the country and presents findings and recommendations for progress. This document was formulated as part of the C1-EU-NPA project, supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tirana.
Three expert panelists ellaborated and emphasized aspects of the sector, problems and the need for better standards and policies in management and auditing. Specifically:
Prof. Assoc. Dr. Ira GJIKApresented the Findings and Recommendations on Enterprise Management and Auditing
CFA. Irena BEQIRAJ The former Deputy Minister of Finances, presented some typical cases of poor SOC management, issues coming from party influences and the lack of meritocracy at the management level.
Prof. Assoc. Dr. Mateo SPAHO presented the EU models and standards of Financial Control over State Owned Companies, highlighting a far-from-positive situation in the Albanian context and the need for reform, independence and management through administrators with the proper skills and integrity.
At this event, the DataSet with dynamic passports for State Owned Corporates was also presented, a dataset incorporated in the Open Corporates Albania web database. The Director of AIS/Open Data Albania, Ms. Aranita BRAHAJ, explained the importance of information and transparency on the management, performance, legal issues and use of assets of important public companies. With a view to making these companies as transparent as possible, AIS has applied the Open Corporates Albania Open Business Register model. In this database, the information comes for each Company in a well-structured version applying OpenData and LinkData standards. The database for State Owned Companies is the result of the implementation of the project entitled Open Data Access and Transparency over sector exposed to Risk of Corruption, a projectsupported by Sida, the Sweden International Development Cooperation Agency (March 2021 – February 2024). The purpose of the project itself is to Promote Transparency and Inform the Public through Open Data.
The event was attended by representatives from Institutions Engaged in Financial Control and Auditing of the State Owned Companies Sector, such as
Ministry of Finances
High State Audit
Representatives from the Embassies of European countries
Findings, Opinions or Recommendations Expressed in this document and in the organized event represent the views of the experts and the AIS organization, and do not necessarily correspond with those of the project partners or supporters.
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/IMG_2665.jpg31493110adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2023-06-03 08:43:302023-06-03 11:21:37Debate and Policy Paper on “Financial Control of State-Owned Corporates” (Standards, Chapter 32 of EU Integration)
DataThon Albania, a data marathon, took place on April 3rd and 4th, 2023. Over two days, young participants collaborate to create a dataset, analyze, visualize, and present the data.
AIS has previously organized events such as Hackathons, DataThons, or DiploHacks. This year, participants in the data marathon were young members of the OpenDataFellowship Network. The event aimed at Civic Education and empowering young people in data gathering and analysis, as well as presenting their finding to the public.
Monday and Tuesday, From 3 April, 09:00 to 16:30 and 4 April, from 17:00 to 18:30
Rogner Hotel, Antigonea Meeting Room
Topic of DataThon: Party Financing Data, Charts, Visualizations and Recommendations
The participants of DataThon Albania this year are young people from the OpenDataFellowship Network
Datathon Albania 2023 is organized by AIS, promoter of Open Data in Albania
This year, DataThon is held as part of the Open Data Access and Transparency Project activities
in sectors exposed to the risk of corruption, a project financially supported by
Sida – Sweden International Development Cooperation Agency
First Day of Marathon, April 3rd, from 09:00 to 16:30
Phase 1: Ideation from 10:30 to 12:00
Welcome Participants to the Marathon
Logistics
What is a DataThon?
How can data be collected for the Finances of Political Parties over the years
Working Teams are created for Lawyers: Statisticians; Economists; and Designers
Moderator: Aranita Brahaj & Fatjona Mejdini
12:00 DEADLINE – HAND IN YOUR PROBLEM ANALYSIS
Lunch 12:00 – 13:00
Phase 2: Prototyping 13:00 to 15:00
Phase 3: Preparing an elevator pitch from 15:00 to 16:30
Prepare an elevator pitch of Max 3 minutes on the idea MAX 1 visual
17.00 DEADLINE: HAND IN 1 VISUAL FOR ELEVATOR PITCH
Second Day of the Marathon, April 4rth, from 17:00 to 18.30
DataThon Albania Award Ceremony
Tuesday, April 4th, 17:00 – 18:30
Rogner Hotel, Antigonea Meeting Room
PRESENTATION OF THE TEAMS – KEY NOTE SPEECH – AWARDS AND DRINKS
DataThon is a marathon event where citizens work together to collect, analyze data and raise awareness about a specific topic. The word DataThon is a combination of Data plus Marathon. The work consists of data collection, analysis, comparison, structuring and visualization of information.
Usually, a specific topic or field is chosen and the engaged group focuses and has an interest in working in that field.
Instruments or apps are often developed in datathons to make the information as useful as possible. DataThon are events where citizens, activists, journalists, economists, lawyers, architects, and various professionals may participate as long as they have a passion and desire to work with data.
An inspiring event for DataThon Albania 2023 is also the EU DataThon
Who Organizes DataThon Albania 2023
Datathon Albania 2023 is organized by AIS, promoter of Open Data in Albania. AIS has previously brought events like DiploHack Tirana,Hackathonand DataThon.
This year, DataThon is held as part of the Activities of the ProjectOpen Data Access and Transparency in the sector at risk of corruption, a project financially supported by Sida – Sweden International Development Cooperation Agency.
Where and when it will be held
April 3 and 4, 2023 at Antigonea Meeting Room, Rogner Hotel
Who will work on the data? What about the audience
This year, participants of DataThon Albania are young people from the OpenDataFellowship Network. This Youth Network was created to increase the capacities and skills of young people in matters related to anti-corruption . At the end of the Marathon, in the final presentation session, you are invited to participate and listen to the presentations of the young people with Data, Charts, Visualizations and Recommendations.
Featured Topic
This year, the Marathon will focus on Political Party Financing. The selected topic sheds light on the integrity of subjects very important for the democratic and pluralistic life of the country. The young people participating in the marathon will work to gather data on the expenses declared by the political subjects in the last ten years, the structure of their income, the types of expenses, the weight of the electoral expenses versus the total expenses, the issues related to transparency, difficulties with access, and party financing issues that require practices with more integrity.
Event Contribution and Output
Data, Charts, and Visualizations will be presented in the final stage. Young people will also submit recommendations, their perspectives on how to improve the rules and models of control or reporting of the Finances of Political Parties with a view to ensuring Integrity.
Where the Graph, Dates and Visualizations of this Marathon are published
On the Open Data Albania web page
Not only DataThon
At this event, Certificates will also be distributed to the team of young people who have attended the first cycle of activities for capacity building as part of the OpenData Youth Network
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/f.jpg533533adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2023-03-21 14:56:392023-03-21 15:17:12DataThon Albania 2023 - Topic Party Financing Data, Charts, Visualizations and Recommendations
AIS për të dytin vit radhazi, hap aplikimet për të rinj që duan të punojnë dhe angazhohen me OpenData Youth Network, të rinj me përgatitje universitare të moshës 20 deri 30 vjeç janë të mirëpritur. Ky grup network do të trajnohet, aftësohet, bëhet pjesë e një program intensiv me qëllim aftësimin në analizë dhe artikulim ku të dhënat e hapura nxisin transparencën, mirëqeverisjen dhe antikorrupsionin. Gjatë një viti, është punuar me një network dhe disa nga eventet janë publikuar në web faqen tonë Link
Lexo si vijon:
Mundësi për të punuar me ekipin #OpenDataAlbania
Je një Djalë apo Vajze e re, #Gazetar, #Student, #Ekonomist, #Fiskalist, #Politikan i Ardhshëm, #Analist, #Sociolog apo #Kërkues në një Disiplinë të caktuar
• Nëse ke dëshirë të Publikosh një apo disa artikuj në portalin Open Data Albania
• Nëse planet për Karrierën tuaj të ardhshme lidhen me sa më lart, një Rrjet Rinor të mirëpret për një program Afatshkurtër.
Ajo çka i duhet formimit tuaj profesional është edhe pak aftësim mbi përdorimin e të dhënave në artikulimin publik, vendimmarrjen, planifikimin dhe debatin.
Ne të ftojmë të Bëhesh Pjesë e OpenData Fellowship Youth Network
• Ju thjesht duhet të shpenzoni me Ne disa orë Praktikë çdo muaj për 4 muaj radhazi.
• Qëllimi final i procesit është forcimi i kapaciteteve dhe njohurive të një grupi rinor elitë që ka vokacion, talent dhe vullnet për tu angazhuar në artikulim publik.
• Procesi do të finalizohet edhe me publikimin e artikujve hulumtues në portalin Open Data Albania nga vetë të rinjtë duke u dhënë mundësinë të ndajnë me publikun fakte, analiza dhe parashtrime.
Mirëpresim të aplikojnë për angazhim të rinj mosha 20 deri 30 vjeç, në proces studimi universitarë apo të sapo diplomuar. Kusht është dëshira për tu fuqizuar përmes të dhënave, informacionit dhe njohurive.
Të rinjtë duhet të kenë dëshirë të përmirësojnë aftësinë e tyre artikuluese dhe aftësinë për tu përfshirë në diskutime të bazuara në argument dhe të dhëna.
Për aplikim dërgo email me titull Aplikim OpenData Felloship ne adresën [email protected]Ne aplikim duhet tekst ku njoftohen te dhëna si gjeneralitete, mosha, studimet, aftësitë, arsyet pse dëshiron te aplikosh.
Procesi ju Garanton:
• Rrjetëzim me Kolegë dhe Moshatar
• Puno dhe behu Autor Artikuj në Open Data Albania
• Referencë dhe Certifikatë për Eventin
• Fuqizohu duke njohur BigData
• Pagesë për çdo Artikuj të realizuar nga Ju dhe të Publikuar te OpenDataAlbania
Afati për Regjistrim data 20 Prill 2023.
Më të mirët do të ftohen për Intervistë pranë nesh,
Ky Network po krijohet në kuadër të Projektit Open Data, Access and Transparency over sectors esposed to risk of Corruption mbështetur nga SIDA përmes Ambasadës Suedeze në Shqipëri.
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/MAL_3281-4.jpg31323187adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2023-03-09 14:45:152023-04-05 12:16:47Thirrje Anëtarësime te reja OpenData Fellowship Youth Network
