Public Consultation on the Anticorruption Draft-Strategy. AIS proposes the inclusion of State Owned Companies (SOC) in the list of high-risk sectors

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In response to the Invitation of the Ministry of State for Public Administration and Anticorruption, for participation in the Public Consultation of the Draft – National Anticorruption Strategy, launched in July 2024, the AIS organization participated in the Meeting with Civil Society and also addressed written suggestions and opinions. Evaluating the completed document and the opportunity to participate in public consultation, AIS suggests an Additional Objective for the Strategy.

Below is the letter addressed to the Institution:

Recommendations provided for Public Consultation Addressed to:  Ministry of State for Public Administration and Anticorruption

Subject: Providing recommendations in the frame of the Sectoral Strategy Against Corruption 2024-2023

From:  Organization Albanian Institute of Sciences (AIS, promoter of Open Data Albania

Date: August 30, 2024

Honorable Madam Minister,

Honorable officials of the Ministry of State for Public Administration and Anticorruption, Through this letter, allow us to convey our consideration for the work carried out by your Institution in drafting the Intersectoral Strategy against Corruption. We would also like to thank you for administering the consultation and opinion gathering process, carried out in collaboration with civil society and business actors. Holding the document, the goals, objectives and priority measures foreseen in great esteem, the organization Albanian Institute of Sciences (acronym AIS), known as Open Data Promoter for Albania, would like to submit two additional recommendations, which we deem should be included in the Strategy, as detailed below:

  1. To add to Specific Objective 1.3 the Prevention of Corruption, Depoliticization and Improvement of the Integrity of Publicly Owned Enterprises

We recommend that, in addition to the Sectors cited in the draft, the Sector of Publicly Owned Companies and Enterprises (SOC – state owned enterprise/corporates) should also be considered as part of the Strategy. This sector is of particular importance, as it manages public assets and public human resources. Likewise, some of the companies in this sector offer exclusive services to citizens (water, energy) or operate in sectors of paramount importance for national security (water supply, ports, etc.). Our organization, like other actors, for years has considered this sector risky in terms of management, financial control and the use of public assets and public resources. Likewise, the latter’s misuse in Election campaigns has been systematically highlighted in relation to the SOC sector. More importantly, we would like one of the Specific Objectives of the Strategy to be dedicated to the revision of the Legislation and Statutes (through the MP’s or Local Government Units), guaranteeing legal, sub-legal and statutory regulation of the SOC Companies. The regulation, in the legal and sub-legal framework, should be such as to guarantee meritocracy based management (criteria and competition), clear rules for depoliticization of the director and senior managers, clear statutory provisions for internal and external audits, as well as financial control. The SOC sector is important in terms of meeting the criteria and conditions of the country as a candidate for EU membership, specifically the criteria for Financial Control (chapter 32).

  1. Involvement of Civil Society, Organizations. Objective 3.3.2

Considering this aspect as quite important in terms of Anti-corruption Policies, we suggest that more outputs be targeted and not to be limited to awareness campaigns alone. In principle, we would recommend a cooperation agreement between the Ministry and Civil Society Organizations that work in oversight, litigation and strengthening in the efficiency of the legal provisions in the sectors deemed as risky. These agreements would also guarantee the exchange of evidence, reports, products of these civil actors (non-governmental associations, business associations or interest groups). Likewise, we propose holding joint events to raise awareness, educate and build capacity for good governance. Agreements between institutions and NGOs or Integrity Pacts (mainly the public procurement sector) are mechanisms that have been successfully applied to improve anti-corruption circumstances in some EU or even candidate countries. These types of agreements would facilitate the work of watchdog actors and would guarantee more accurate addressing of the findings on the risk assessments, carried out by civil society organizations. In the same way, we would suggest that this Objective, in addition to the Awareness Campaigns, also consider as a potential output the cooperation of institutions with civil actors in the detection and prevention of corruption cases. Congratulating you once again on the Draft Strategy document, we hope that the above stated recommendations will be given due consideration and we wish you success in the finalization and implementation of this Strategy.

With the highest regard,

Aranita BRAHAJ

Executive Director AIS / OpenDataAlbania

   

Training – Tracking Corruption through Data and Evidence: Issues of Transparency

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Organizer: Albanian Institute of Science (AIS), promotor of Open Data Albania.

Participants:

  1. Civil Society Representatives
  2. Journalists
  3. Members of the Open Data Youth Fellowship for Anti-Corruption.

Project:

This activity takes place within the framework of the “EU4 Rule of Law: Citizen Engagement for Public Integrity (CEPI) in the Western Balkans and Turkey” project. The Project is funded by the European Union.

Topics covered in the training:

♦ Overview of Corruption;
♦ National Integrity System Assessment | Albania 2023 (NIS Report);
♦ Anti-Corruption Regulation and Instruments.
 

Practical aspects of monitoring through data were also addressed, specifically:

♦ Open Spending Data – Evidence on every Treasury Transactions from Budgetary Institutions;
♦ Open Corporates Albania – Data and documentation over Public Contractors, as well as on companies operating in high-risk sectors;
♦ Open Procurement Albania and the Red Flag Algorithm – Procurement Passports containing full information on tenders in the Local Government, Infrastructure, Healthcare, etc. Databases that provide easy access to data related to bidding and the Red Flag algorithm. Implementation of the open contracting standard;
♦ Money and Power, Asset Declaration – Asset declaration of high-ranking officials, elected or appointed, conflict of interest issues;
♦ Register of Magistrates – Public Control and Integrity.
 

Below you can find photos and videos from the Training:

 
 
 

Agenda: Download here.

List of participation: Download here.

Presentation: Anti-Corruption, The Sectoral Approach

Presentation: Open Spending Data – Evidence for each Treasury Transaction payment

Presentation: Open Corporates Albania – Data and Documentation on Publicly Contracted Companies

Presentation: Open Procurement Albania and the Red Flag Algorithm

Presentation: Money and Power, Asset Declaration – Asset declaration of High-Ranking Officials

 
#Anti-Corruption #NationalIntegritySystemAssessment-Albania2023 #Transparency #PublicProcurementAlbania #OpenDataAlbania #TenderIntegrity #OpenSpendingData #OpenProcurementAlbania #OpenCorporatesAlbania #EU4RuleofLaw:CitizenEngagementforPublicIntegrity(CEPI)intheWesternBalkansandTurkey
 

Tracking Corruption through Open Data and Evidence. Training for activists and journalists

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A total of 85 young activists and journalists have been trained by the AIS organization on the practical aspects of Tracking Corruption through Open Data and Evidence-Based Data.

The final session of this training took place on October 11-12th, as part of the activities of the EU4 Rule of Law: Citizens Engagement for Public Integrity (CEPI) project in the Western Balkans and Turkey, funded by the European Union.

The use of Open Data in preventing and combating corruption is part of the mission and daily work of the AIS organization. Our organization’s work in the creation and operation of Databases that ensure transparency and risk assessment in the distribution of Public Money and Contracts is unique in its kind in our country.

More specifically, we operate the Spending Data Albania, Open Procurement Albania and Open Corporates Albania databases. We facilitate civil society actions in Preventing and Combating Corruption through access to our databases and first-hand data. This data infrastructure needs, where information is published with high quality and in manner that allows connections between datasets, encourages activists and journalists to join our training sessions on Using Open Data in Fighting Corruption. The EU4 Rule of Law project is implemented by Transparency International and partner organizations.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Workshop organized by AIS, topic: “Civil Society and Parliament in the Process of Drafting, Consulting, and Approving the State Budget

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On November 27th, the organization AIS, a leading advocate for Open Data Albania, hosted a training session for local organizations, activists, and journalists on the topic: “Civil Society and Parliament in the Process of Drafting, Consulting, and Approving the State Budget.”

The event was part of the project “Increasing Parliamentary Responsiveness to Citizens’ Concerns,” supported by the British Embassy in Tirana and implemented by a consortium led by IDM in collaboration with AIS and Citizens Channel.

The training focused on enhancing the skills and knowledge of civil society organizations (CSOs), activists, and media representatives, equipping them to engage effectively in state budget planning. The ultimate objective was to promote citizen participation in shaping policies on the allocation and use of public funds.

The initiative brought together 30 participants representing 22 CSOs from 17 municipalities across Albania, reflecting a diverse and nationwide effort to strengthen civic engagement in fiscal governance.

  • Out of the 30 (thirty) participants, 27 were representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), one was a local journalist, and two were youth activists.
  • In terms of gender representation, 17 participants (57%) were male, while 13 participants (43%) were female.
  • The training included representatives from 17 municipalities, as detailed in the list below.
  • A total of 22 Civil Society Organizations were involved.

During the training, the Civil Society representatives shared ideas and suggestions aimed at strengthening the role of civic actors in the consultation and advocacy processes to promote equitable and well-distributed budgets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assistance for Their Work and Advocacy for Rights-Based Budget Planning in Parliament

1.         The importance of systematic and ongoing training on legal instruments and communication strategies with Parliament Representatives (MPs) was highlighted.

2.         The necessity for support through “Umbrella” programs or projects with a comprehensive and long-term approach to working on Equitable and Inclusive Budgets was emphasized.

3.         The capacity-building cycle should focus on equipping individuals with knowledge about budgets and the related preparation processes, providing training on understanding and analyzing budgets for various programs, and offering assistance in advocating for improved budgets that support the causes or groups they represent. Additionally, it should include support for preparing meetings with the Ministry of Finance or testimonies in parliamentary committees. Representatives from the municipalities of Korça and Pogradec suggested that these programs would be significantly more beneficial if they offered a complete cycle and extended over several years, particularly for causes linked to state budget allocations that impact specific regions or municipalities.

Concerns Raised by Representatives of Local NGOs.

The following concerns were raised by representatives of local non-governmental organizations:

•           Financial Constraints and Lack of Support: There is a significant challenge due to financial difficulties, compounded by the insufficient support provided through small grants from local government entities, donors, and potential government programs. This undermines the sustainability of the NGOs’ capacities and long-term effectiveness.

•           Educational Budget Issues: There are concerns regarding the allocation of funds for education, particularly for schools that are non-operational and inadequately monitored. While teachers receive salaries, many are not present at their assigned schools, raising questions about the effective use of allocated resources.

•           Mineral Royalties and Local Government Revenue: The taxation of mineral royalties (taxes levied on the extraction of underground mineral resources) has been identified as a key issue. Currently, these taxes are collected by the central government, with only a limited portion being transferred to local governments (municipalities), thereby reducing local revenue sources.

•           Environmental Impact of Mining and Rehabilitation Funding: Concerns were raised regarding the environmental effects of mining operations, particularly mining processing businesses, and the absence of adequate budget allocations for environmental rehabilitation in contaminated areas. This issue is particularly evident in municipalities such as Fushë-Arrëz and Kukës.

•           Social Assistance and Pension Levels: A shared concern among representatives is the low level of social assistance and pensions for the elderly. Furthermore, the failure to approve a legally mandated minimum living wage exacerbates the situation for vulnerable populations.

You can find the agenda HERE

To access the list of participants and evidence: Click Here

Presentation: Parliamentary Oversight of Public Finances

Presentation: International initiatives for transparent Budgets, OpenBudget, and Parliament.

Instill Watchdog Culture – Training on Monitoring Public Spending and Procurement in Local Governance, Has

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  • Location: YES Centre Has, New Municipality Building, First Floor
  • Date: December 18, 2024
  • Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

On December 18, 2024, AIS – promoter of Open Data Albania organized a training and workshop focused on Strengthening the Culture of Monitoring, with a particular emphasis on Monitoring Public Spending and Contracting in Local Government Units.

This activity was held as part of the project “Youth Activism for Good Governance and Strengthening the Culture of Monitoring and Civic Engagement”, with the financial support of the Small Grants Program of the Commission for Democracy of the U.S. Embassy Tirana.

The training gathered motivated young individuals, activists, and civil society representatives interested in enhancing transparency and accountability in public financial management.

A total of 33 participants attended the training, of which 23 participants were direct beneficiaries of the training. Other participants: 4 representatives from Local Government Units, 3 experts & organizers of the training, 3 representatives from other local institutions.

Among the 23 direct beneficiaries:

  • 20 were young activists aged 18-34,
  • 3 were activists over the age of 35.

In terms of gender distribution 12 participants (52%) were men and 11 participants (48%) were women.

For access to the full participant list, refer to this document.

The primary goal of this training was to empower youth and citizens to take a more active role in monitoring public finances and promoting transparency and accountability at the local level.

Participants developed skills in the following areas:

  • Engaging in decision-making processes and budget consultations.
  • Understanding the budget cycle: from planning to implementation and auditing
  • Citizen engagement tools for policy-making and public investments
  • Types of public expenditures and fund allocation at local and central levels
  • Mechanisms for monitoring public spending and understanding local budgets
  • Tracking public spending and contracting data through Open Data platforms
  • Practical exercise on drafting a municipal investment proposal and submitting requests to decision-makers

 

For the detailed agenda, click here.

Highlights from the training – see photos below!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

You can find the training materials in the linked document.

Pre-event survey evidence on the training held on December 18, 2024, in Has.

Post-event survey evidence after the training held on December 18, 2024, in Has.

 

Forcimi i Kulturës së Monitorimit – Trajnim mbi Monitorimin e Shpenzimeve dhe Kontraktimeve Publike në Qeverisjen Vendore Berat

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  • Vendi: Hotel Portik (Salla e Konferencave), Berat
  • Data: 21 Dhjetor 2024
  • Ora: 10:00 – 13:00

Më 21 Dhjetor 2024, AIS – promotor i Open Data Albania organizoi një trajnim dhe workshop mbi Forcimin e Kulturës së Monitorimit, duke u fokusuar në Monitorimin e Shpenzimeve dhe Kontraktimeve Publike në Njësitë e Qeverisjes Vendore.

Ky aktivitet u zhvillua në kuadër të projektit “Aktivizëm Rinor për Qeverisje të Mirë dhe Forcim të Kulturës së Monitorimit dhe Aktivizmit”, me Mbështetjen Financiare të Programit të Granteve të Vogla të Komisionit për Demokraci të Ambasadës së SHBA në Tiranë.

Në këtë trajnim morën pjesë të rinj të motivuar, aktivistë dhe përfaqësues të shoqërisë civile.

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Në trajnim ishin të pranishëm gjithsej 26 pjesëmarrës, nga të cilët 21 ishin përfitues të drejtpërdrejtë të trajnimit. Pjesëmarrësit e tjerë: 2 përfaqësues nga Njësitë e Qeverisjes Vendore dhe 3 ekspertë & organizator të trajnimit.

Ndër 21 përfituesit e drejtpërdrejtë të trajnimit:

Ndër 23 përfituesit e drejtpërdrejtë të trajnimit:

  • 17 ishin aktivistë të rinj të grupmoshës 18-34 vjeç,
  • 4 të tjerë ishin aktivistë mbi 35 vjeç.

Sa i përket shpërndarjes gjinore, 7 pjesëmarrës (33%) ishin burra dhe 14 (67%) pjesmarrës gra.

Për të aksesuar listën e pjesëmarrësve, referojuni këtij dokumenti.

Objektiv i trajnimit është fuqizimi i të rinjve dhe qytetarëve për të luajtur një rol më aktiv në monitorimin e financave publike dhe për të promovuar transparencën dhe llogaridhënien në nivel lokal.

Përfituesit e trajnimit zhvilluan aftësi në fushat e mëposhtme:

> Si të marrim pjesë në proceset vendimmarrëse dhe konsultimet për buxhetin
> Kuptimi i ciklit buxhetor: nga planifikimi deri te zbatimi dhe auditimi
> Instrumente për përfshirjen qytetare në hartimin e politikave dhe investimeve publike
> Llojet e shpenzimeve publike dhe si ndahen fondet në nivel vendor dhe qendror
> Si të monitorojmë shpenzimet publike dhe të kuptojmë buxhetin vendor
> Gjurmimi i të dhënave për shpenzimet dhe kontraktimet publike përmes platformave Open Data
> Ushtrim praktik mbi përgatitjen e një propozimi për investimet e bashkisë dhe përcjelljen e kërkesave te vendimmarrësit

Për të aksesuar agjendën e detajuar, kliko këtu.

Momente nga trajnimi – shihni fotot më poshtë!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mund të gjeni materialet e trajnimit në dokumentin e bashkëngjitur.

Evidenca Pre-Event Survey mbi Trajnimin e mbajtur datë 21 dhjetor 2024 në Berat.

Evidenca Post-Event Survey pas Trajnimit data 21 dhjetor 2024 në Berat.

Transparency with Beneficial Ownership: Issues of Legislation, Practice, and Empowerment of Actors Working for Transparency

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AIS, the promoter of Open Data Albania, is actively working to enhance transparency in Beneficial Ownership and the Public Access Registry.

Recognizing the crucial role investigative journalists play in uncovering and tracking cases of money laundering, corruption, conflict of interest, and undue influence, AIS’s team of experts and data analysts has worked to increase capacities and knowledge.

Participants: Investigative Journalists, Activists, and Representatives from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

To access the list of participants: Click Here

A recent training session on media, held at our premises, was conducted within the framework of the Expanding Windows of Opportunity for Beneficial Ownership Transparency project. This initiative, funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and implemented by the International Republican Institute (IRI), engaged AIS as a local partner.

 


Agenda Workshop: Beneficial Ownership Transparency – Business Registry, Access, and Information Tracking


Expert Lecturers and Topics Covered:

  • Sidorela Drici, Legal Expert at AIS

The Concept of Beneficial Ownership, International Initiatives for Transparency and Engagement. The Fight against Money Laundering, Corruption, and Malign Influence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


  • Professor Lindita Lati (Milo), Expert in Public Audit and Economics

Legislation in the Republic of Albania and the Need for Improvement.

 

 

 

 


  • Lindita Çela, Director at Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Network (OCCRP.org)

The Role of Journalists and Organizations in Transparency. Investigating Money Laundering, Corruption, and Foreign Influence.

 

 

 

 

 

 


  • Pajtim Nikolli, Data Analyst at Open Corporates Albania

EU Directives and Beneficial Ownership Registers in European Union and Countries in the Region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


AIS has also prepared a Policy Report on Transparency and the Public Registry for Beneficial Owners, authored by Professor Lindita Lati (Milo). This report emphasizes the need for legislative improvements, strengthening transparency and empowering watchdog institutions and actors to verify data related to beneficial ownership.

The declaration of owners and beneficiaries of businesses and NGOs operating in Albania or in partnership with the Albanian public sector is critical for controlling and preventing money laundering, conflicts of interest, corruption, and influence. Transparency in beneficial ownership is also closely tied to national security concerns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AIS is the creator and owner of the Open Corporates Albania Database, which provides extensive data on major businesses in the country. Its aim is to ensure access to information and transparency regarding the origins and connections of businesses benefiting from state contracts, assets, licenses, or partnerships with the public sector.

#OpenCorporatesAlbania and #OpenOwnership by @AIS.

Applications Open for Internship and Training through Open Data, 4th Edition (April – October 2025)

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OpenDataFellowship – Youth Empowerment Against Corruption 2025

AIS, the organization promoting Open Data Albania, invites students and activists who wish to participate in an Internship and Training Program on Open Data usage to apply for the OpenDataFellowship – Youth Empowerment Against Corruption 2025.

The internship is open to university students from the fields of Economics, Journalism, Law, and Social Sciences.

Additionally, we welcome non-student youth who are members or staff of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and are interested in data-based advocacy.

During the internship, participants will attend info sessions on using data and databases for research, analysis, advocacy planning, investigations, and reporting.

The program is divided into two main parts:

  1. Public Access and Use of Data (Economic and Statistical Data)
  2. Methods for Tracking and Preventing Corruption

Successful participants will benefit from:

  • Certificate of Participation in the Open Data Fellowship Program
  • Skills Development in Economic Analysis
  • University Internship Certification (in agreement with university departments)
  • Opportunities for research and article publication on OpenDataAlbania’s website (data.al)
  • Possibility of part-time employment with the AIS team for a period of 3 to 6 months

About the Program:

Participants will be introduced to research methodologies, legal frameworks, access instruments, and analysis tools for various data categories, including:

  • Public Expenditures – Payments from Budgetary Institutions
  • State Budget – Allocations for Executive and Local Government
  • Public Procurement – Official and Alternative Databases
  • Procurement Process Stages – Risk Assessment, Integrity of Public Contractors, and European Integration Issues related to Procurement
  • Business Registry and Beneficial Ownership Registry
  • Asset Declarations of High-Ranking Officials
  • Political Finance and Electoral Records
  • Public Registers for Access to Information

These topics will be explored through practical exercises to enhance participants’ understanding of legal and technological tools for data access.

At the end of the program, a DataThon (Data Marathon) event will be organized.

The engagement requires 50 to 70 hours throughout the period of April – October 2025.

Journalists participating in the program may also be granted access to AIS’s internal databases (not widely accessible) for research and investigative reporting.

For questions, contact [email protected] with the subject line: Inquiry about OpenDataFellowship.

To register, click the Google Form Link.

Previous Events of the Network