The Albanian Institute of Science (AIS), contracted as a local implementing partner for the OSCE Presence in Albania, organized DataThon 2024, a data marathon running from June to August. This initiative aimed to engage and empower young people in anti-corruption efforts through data analysis and financial education.
The program included training workshops, mentoring sessions, and individual info-sessions, all designed to equip participants with the skills needed for data collection, analysis, and visualization. An open call for participants was disseminated through the organization’s website, social networks, and established communication networks with public and private universities before the event. The main event was held on July 5th, 2024.
DataThon 2024 promoted a culture of data-driven public discourse, transparency, and accountability. Of the participants, 24 successfully completed the program and were certified at the final event, underscoring the initiative’s impact in fostering civic engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration.
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Open Call for Participation in the DataThon 2024 Program. Selection of Participants.
AIS issued a call for young people aged 20-30 to join the DataThon 2024 Program. Targeting students, young professionals, economists, lawyers, activists, researchers, and data enthusiasts, the invitation aimed to empower participants in data collection, financial education, open budgets, and participatory budgeting. Applicants were asked to complete a form detailing their identification, experience, education, and motivation for joining the event.
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On June 14, 2024, the “Introductory DataThon 2024 Workshop”
was held at Rogner Hotel, with 38 participants, including 29 selected fellows (22 women and 7 men), 3 mentors, 4 AIS staff, and 2 OSCE representatives. The fellows came from diverse fields: 9 in law, 12 in economics, 3 in IT, 2 in political science, and 1 each in engineering, social science, and medicine. The workshop introduced the DataThon concept, event history, goals, methodology, and expectations, along with a three-month work plan. Participants were then grouped and encouraged to collaborate on research topics for the DataThon.
You can find the agenda HERE.
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On June 19th, the “Youth Participation for Open Budget” training workshop
was held, focusing on key theoretical and practical aspects of the state budget process. The session covered topics such as the drafting and approval of the state budget, the legal framework of the budget cycle, the roles of the Council of Ministers and Parliament, public access to budget information, taxation legislation, government expenditure allocation, and oversight by the Albanian Supreme State Audit. The workshop also included a presentation of the Parliament’s budget publication website. A total of 25 participants attended, including 19 young beneficiaries (17 women and 2 men), along with staff and trainers.
You can find the agenda HERE.
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On June 26, a practical workshop
was held where the selected groups consulted with AIS analysts and mentors to prepare for their final presentations. The event was held in Rogner (photo illustration and attendance list). The event served to further work of each group on their chosen topics.
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Working meetings in the AIS office.
- The groups worked individually or under the mentorship of AIS staff and collaborators to finalize the topics.
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The Final DataThon event was held on August 4th and 5th (at the Rogner).
The Final DataThon event took place on August 4th and 5th at the Rogner Hotel. On the first day, the four groups conducted a general rehearsal, refining their work through mutual Q&A sessions.
On August 5th, the final presentations covered topics such as Public Finance, Health, Budgets for Justice and Penitentiary Institutions, Cyber Security Costs, and Budgeting for Culture and Waste Management. The event was graced by the OSCE Ambassador to Albania, Michel Tarran, who highlighted that “open data are crucial for ensuring that government resources are used effectively and equitably. By engaging young people in this process, we are not only fostering a culture of accountability but also empowering the next generation of leaders to advocate for transparency and integrity in public finance.” and the Deputy Minister of Economy, Innovation, and Culture, Mr. Endrit Yzeiri.
To inspire excellence, two awards were presented: one for the best data analyst and another for the best group. Winners were invited by AIS to continue their research and collaborate closely with the organization. The awards were determined by votes from participants and a jury that included the Deputy Minister.
In the end, 24 young fellows who participated in at least two workshops and contributed to the final presentations received certificates for their involvement in the DataThon.
The Presentation Topics by groups are listed below:
- “Data Pirates” Group How much do the independent institutions spend (SSA, HIDCAC, Ombudsman, INSTAT, etc.) From Plan to Consolidation
- The “Fiscal Four” Group Payment from the State Treasury: Allocation of the Budget during Election Months 2019; 2021; 2023.
- 3″Fiscal Forensics” Group Annual Budget for Penitentiary Institutions. The Penitentiary System
- “Fantastic 5” Group Budget for Health Sector Tenders
- “White Hats” Group How much is cybersecurity costing Albanian taxpayers?
- The “Illyrians” Group Analysis of the Budget Spent on Museums and Archaeological Sites
You can find the agenda HERE.
