Events – Page 22 – Albanian Institute of Science

AIS presents findings and conclusions in Frame of “The Electoral Room for Reform” Project

08/12/2016/in Events, Homeposts, Press Releases /by admin

Workshop, 08.12.2016 : Follow the Money- Financing of Electoral Subjects and Electoral Corruption

08/12/2016/in Events, Homeposts, Press Releases /by admin

Follow the Money – Financing of Electoral Subjects and Electoral Corruption

25/11/2016/in Events, Homeposts /by admin

The Albanian Institute of Science (AIS), a non-Governmental organization known as a promoter of Open Data Albania, is organizing a series of Roundtables, Workshops, and Fora on “Follow the Money”. The first meeting of this cycle was held on 26 October on Public Procurement, Tenders, and Contracts in the Health Sector.

In order to strengthen the role of the media in issues of transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption, AIS invites journalists to apply for participation in the second event on “Financing of Electoral Subjects and Electoral Corruption”. The meeting will address issues related with the electoral law, practice, shortcomings, and elements of impunity regarding electoral corruption.

The second meeting on “Follow the Money” will take place on 8 December on the eve of the International Anti-Corruption Day.

Please Regsiter HERE

For any additional question or information, do not hesitate to write to [email protected] .

Public Health Sector Procurement 2016, an anticorruption and Transparency Program

26/10/2016/in Events, Homeposts, Press Releases /by admin

AIS, a promoter of Open Data Albania, presented to the media representatives today (26 October) a database containing information regarding procurement and contracts from the Public Health Sector. The data covers the period starting from 1 January 2016, and are updated on a daily basis. They are well-structured and presented in an Open Contracting Data (OCDS) format and standard. Such portal and publication format serve to provide information, ensure transparency, and enable the citizens to monitor the public contracts signed in this sector. It functions as an anti-corruption instrument, and as the basis for fact-based journalism.

The project aims to increase the quality and efficiency of the public procurement process through, amongst others, citizens’ reaction/pressure.

A passport of information is created for each tender. The database contains well-structured data not only about the state institutions responsible for providing health services, but also about public procurements of the Mandatory Health Care Insurance Fund as a mandatory public scheme.

The procedure and contract system shows that 4881 public procurement procedures were announced during the first nine months of the year (2016).
During this period, 4119 tender procedures were finalized with a winner. The rest of the procedures were either cancelled, or still ongoing. The total fund limit, i.e. the amount of money available for tender procedures, already finalized by contracts being signed was 6.72 milliard Albanian Leks or 55.1 million USD.
4119 contracts of value of USD 55.1 million were achieved by 430 economic operators / contractors. The value of the winning offers, i.e. the value of signed contracts (VAT excluded) is 6.31 billion Albanian Leks or USD 51.77 million .
The difference between the fund limit and the winning offer is 6.1% of the planned fund. Such difference shows the quality of competition and the budget efficiency in procurement.
Accordingly, the difference corresponds with the money saved thanks to the competition and best economic offers.
In the case of procurement in the health sector, such efficiency is too low. Local government units are characterized by a much higher efficiency rate, about 10% higher than the health one. Direct Negotiation, a no-competition procedure, was used to sign contracts of a value of 1.55 milliard Albanian Leks, which is 24.5% of the total procured value (contract value).Procurement procedures with one single competitor were used in 1 260 cases, consisting of an offer value of 1.04 milliard Leks, which corresponds with 16% of the total value of offers. 4.9% of the contracted value is dedicated to Public Works (investments), 25.4% of the total value to Services, 69.6% to Public Supplies and the rest is used for Renting and Consultancy Services. The ten leading companies in terms of the contracted value represent 46.9 % of the total value of contracts.

The company, which marks the highest value contracted in the health sector for the nine first months of 2016, is Megapharma, with 352 contracts and a value of 452 million Leks. In addition, MegaPharma LLC has also signed other contracts of cooperation with other operators. This company is followed by Rejsi Farma LLC with contracts of value of 335 million Albanian Leks and Devis shpk (in third place) with contracts of value of 313 million Albanian Leks.The procuring authority with the highest procured values (2.15 billion Leks) is the University Hospital Centre “Mother Tereza”.Tenders in the public health sector have a direct impact on the quality of life of citizens and patients. About 8 up to 9 % of the state budget are allocated to this sector every year.

The data can be analyzed and searched by: Procuring Authority; Economic Operators who are awarded Public Contracts; Type of Procurement Procedure; Type of Contract; Value of Contract and other data search and analysis options.

Pjesmarrës

No	Name	Surname	Institution / MEDIA
1	Adriatik	Doci	Gazeta shqiptarja.com
2	Almarina	Gegvataj	ATSH
3	Anjeza	Alliu	Ministria Shendetesise
4	Anxhela	Ruci	Gaz Investigative
5	Arlinda	Gjonaj	ATSH
6	Armida	Shukulli	Freelance
7	Artan	Rama	Freelance/Públicus
8	Bashkim	Shala	Koha Ditore
9	Bepin	Kolvataj	Tv1 Channel
10	Besa	Ombashi	OSFA
11	Bledar	Hoti	Gazeta Shekulli
12	Brikela	Qelemeni	TV “KORCA”- RTSH
13	Brunilda	Bakshevani	OSFA
14	Bukurije	Kastrati	A1 Tv
15	Denisa	Canameti	Shendet Plus
16	Edmond	Shehu	HAP Project TDH
17	Elona	Tereziu	Shendet plus
18	Elvis	Nabolli	Rozafa
19	Enfrid	Islami	OSBE
20	Entela	Barjamaj	Scan Tv
21	Erjola	Azizolli	Ora News
22	Fatbardha	Nergjoni	Report Tv
23	Fejzi	Braushi	Gazeta Mapo
24	Gjergj	Erebara	BIRN
25	Inva	Hasanaliaj	Gazeta Mapo
26	Juljan	Shota	Report Tv
27	Keti	Banushi	Ora News
28	Klaudja	Karabolli	Report Tv
29	Klevis	Paloka	Gazetaria Investigative
30	Manjola	Malo	World Bank
31	Orjada	Tare	Leviz Albania
32	Rezar	Balla	Leviz Albania
33	Rukida	Veizi	HAP Project TDH
34	Saimir	Lleshi	Ora News
35	Violeta	Shqalsi	Scan Tv
36	Xhenisa	Skenderaj	MIAP
37	Xhevahir	Zhabina	Tv Klan
38	Xhuliana	Jakimi	NewsBomb

AIS, a promoter of Open Data Albania, presented to the media representatives today (26 October) a database containing information regarding procurement and contracts from the Public Health Sector. The data covers the period starting from 1 January 2016, and are updated on a daily basis. They are well-structured and presented in an Open Contracting Data (OCDS) format and standard. Such portal and publication format serve to provide information, ensure transparency, and enable the citizens to monitor the public contracts signed in this sector. It functions as an anti-corruption instrument, and as the basis for fact-based journalism.

The project aims to increase the quality and efficiency of the public procurement process through, amongst others, citizens’ reaction/pressure.

A passport of information is created for each tender. The database contains well-structured data not only about the state institutions responsible for providing health services, but also about public procurements of the Mandatory Health Care Insurance Fund as a mandatory public scheme.

The procedure and contract system shows that 4881 public procurement procedures were announced during the first nine months of the year (2016).
During this period, 4119 tender procedures were finalized with a winner. The rest of the procedures were either cancelled, or still ongoing. The total fund limit, i.e. the amount of money available for tender procedures, already finalized by contracts being signed was 6.72 milliard Albanian Leks or 55.1 million USD.
4119 contracts of value of USD 55.1 million were achieved by 430 economic operators / contractors. The value of the winning offers, i.e. the value of signed contracts (VAT excluded) is 6.31 billion Albanian Leks or USD 51.77 million .
The difference between the fund limit and the winning offer is 6.1% of the planned fund. Such difference shows the quality of competition and the budget efficiency in procurement.
Accordingly, the difference corresponds with the money saved thanks to the competition and best economic offers.
In the case of procurement in the health sector, such efficiency is too low. Local government units are characterized by a much higher efficiency rate, about 10% higher than the health one. Direct Negotiation, a no-competition procedure, was used to sign contracts of a value of 1.55 milliard Albanian Leks, which is 24.5% of the total procured value (contract value).Procurement procedures with one single competitor were used in 1 260 cases, consisting of an offer value of 1.04 milliard Leks, which corresponds with 16% of the total value of offers. 4.9% of the contracted value is dedicated to Public Works (investments), 25.4% of the total value to Services, 69.6% to Public Supplies and the rest is used for Renting and Consultancy Services. The ten leading companies in terms of the contracted value represent 46.9 % of the total value of contracts.

The company, which marks the highest value contracted in the health sector for the nine first months of 2016, is Megapharma, with 352 contracts and a value of 452 million Leks. In addition, MegaPharma LLC has also signed other contracts of cooperation with other operators. This company is followed by Rejsi Farma LLC with contracts of value of 335 million Albanian Leks and Devis shpk (in third place) with contracts of value of 313 million Albanian Leks.The procuring authority with the highest procured values (2.15 billion Leks) is the University Hospital Centre “Mother Tereza”.Tenders in the public health sector have a direct impact on the quality of life of citizens and patients. About 8 up to 9 % of the state budget are allocated to this sector every year.

The data can be analyzed and searched by: Procuring Authority; Economic Operators who are awarded Public Contracts; Type of Procurement Procedure; Type of Contract; Value of Contract and other data search and analysis options.

Pjesmarrës

No	Name	Surname	Institution / MEDIA
1	Adriatik	Doci	Gazeta shqiptarja.com
2	Almarina	Gegvataj	ATSH
3	Anjeza	Alliu	Ministria Shendetesise
4	Anxhela	Ruci	Gaz Investigative
5	Arlinda	Gjonaj	ATSH
6	Armida	Shukulli	Freelance
7	Artan	Rama	Freelance/Públicus
8	Bashkim	Shala	Koha Ditore
9	Bepin	Kolvataj	Tv1 Channel
10	Besa	Ombashi	OSFA
11	Bledar	Hoti	Gazeta Shekulli
12	Brikela	Qelemeni	TV “KORCA”- RTSH
13	Brunilda	Bakshevani	OSFA
14	Bukurije	Kastrati	A1 Tv
15	Denisa	Canameti	Shendet Plus
16	Edmond	Shehu	HAP Project TDH
17	Elona	Tereziu	Shendet plus
18	Elvis	Nabolli	Rozafa
19	Enfrid	Islami	OSBE
20	Entela	Barjamaj	Scan Tv
21	Erjola	Azizolli	Ora News
22	Fatbardha	Nergjoni	Report Tv
23	Fejzi	Braushi	Gazeta Mapo
24	Gjergj	Erebara	BIRN
25	Inva	Hasanaliaj	Gazeta Mapo
26	Juljan	Shota	Report Tv
27	Keti	Banushi	Ora News
28	Klaudja	Karabolli	Report Tv
29	Klevis	Paloka	Gazetaria Investigative
30	Manjola	Malo	World Bank
31	Orjada	Tare	Leviz Albania
32	Rezar	Balla	Leviz Albania
33	Rukida	Veizi	HAP Project TDH
34	Saimir	Lleshi	Ora News
35	Violeta	Shqalsi	Scan Tv
36	Xhenisa	Skenderaj	MIAP
37	Xhevahir	Zhabina	Tv Klan
38	Xhuliana	Jakimi	NewsBomb

Follow the Money – Series of Workshops

18/10/2016/in Events, Homeposts, Press Releases /by admin

The Albanian Institute of Science (AIS), a non-governmental organization known as a promoter of Open Data in Albania, is planning to hold a series of Round Tables, Workshops, and Forums on the topic ‘Follow the Money’. The events intend to present instruments and databases that ensure data and facts about public expenditures, procurement, contracts, contractors, and other processes related with money and governance. The purpose is to encourage discussion on the use of facts in journalistic investigations or citizens’ advocacy, and to make the fact-finding process more concrete and qualitative. The participants will include journalists and activists from Tirana and other municipalities in the country. The three first round tables will take place during October 2016 – January 2017 on the following topics:

Public Procurement, Tenders, and Contracts in the Health Sector, Date 26 October, Donor: U.S Embassy in Tirana- Democracy Commission Small Grants Program Project Public Health Sector Procurements
Auditing of Political Parties and Electoral Subjects. Donor: Netherlands Embassy in Tirana.
Monitoring of Municipality Clients in Public Contracts, with the support of Lëviz Albania.

Those interested in participating in these events are invited to fill in a registration form, upon the receipt of which we will let you know whether you are selected to participate. AIS is going to reimburse the justified participation costs. The events will take place in the course of one day. The two first ones will take place in Tirana.

Please Regsiter HERE

For any additional question or information, do not hesitate to write to [email protected] .

Training on the use of ICT tools to increase transparency over the budgets and expenditures of the local government units.

15/09/2016/in Events, Homeposts /by admin

The training took place on 13 September, at Doro City Hotel. It aimed at enhancing the capacities of the local government unit employees in independently using transparency instruments over their budgets and expenses: Budget by the Economic Classification of the Actual Expenses (Money Map); Monitoring of Transactions for Local Government (Monitoring Treasury).

10 organizations meet in Tirana on the Perspective of Open Contracting Standards in the Regio

01/09/2016/in Events, Homeposts, Press Releases /by admin

Open Data against abuse and corruption using public money. Ten regional organizations met in Tirana on 28-29 July at a workshop organized by AIS: Civil Monitoring of Public Procurement. The participants analyzed how transparent the data from different phases of public contracting are and presented some CSO initiatives for citizens’ monitoring of public procurement in Albania, BiH, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Rumania, and Serbia. Considering Public Contracts as the number one risk of corruption, representatives of ACER/SELDI, Alternativa, Riinvest, TI for BiH, Initiativa Romania, Open Data Kosovo, Metamorfoza, ANTTARC, KDI, and AIS emphasized the need for applying Open Contracting Standards in the Region. There was also a presentation of Open Contracting Partnership as an effort for Brighter Government Deal-making: save money and time, improve service delivery, boost integrity, and create a fair business environment. The presentations of the workshop are all published on AIS website.

AIS starts the new program “Transparency with the Public Health Sector Procurements”.

18/08/2016/in Events, Homeposts /by admin

AIS started to work in July on disclosing procurement data from the Health Sector. The newest project on Public Health Sector Procurements will enable the creation, promotion, and use of a well-structured database, which serves as an instrument (tool) for transparency, information, citizens’ monitoring about procurement processes of the Public Health Sector for 2016. Fact-based journalism and fact-based public debate is the final purpose of the creation of such well-structured database. Accordingly, it will provide exhaustive information about every public procurement process in the health sector. The project is supported by the US Embassy in Tirana in the framework of the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program. The database with open data for the Public Health Sector shall be placed on the Open Procurement Albania portal, where data about local government procurement processes are disclosed on daily basis.

‘Civil Society Monitoring Public Procurement and Contracts’ Workshop Tirana, 29 July 2016

30/06/2016/in Events, Homeposts /by admin

AIS organized on 29 July 2016, in Tirana, a Workshop on Civil Society Monitoring Public Procurement and Contracts.

Roundtables – Promotion of Transparency over Local Government Budgets

25/06/2016/in Events, Homeposts, Press Releases /by admin

The USAID Planning and Local Governance Project (PLGP) in cooperation with the Albanian Institute of Science (AIS) have designed and finalized a platform with several ICT instruments for transparency over the budgets and expenditures of the local government units. During November 2015 – March 2016, work was focused on programing and implementing Money Mapping and a Monitoring Treasury Application. Both instruments are linked with well-structured data catalogues and contain information about the actual budgets, including expenditures for six municipalities for the two last years (2014-2016). The data are also accompanied by a group of articles, which analyze and visualize the real budgets of the municipalities for each of these two years. Everything is being done following the motto Open Governance as Good Governance in order to increase transparency, ensure well-structured information, and communication of the state institutions with the municipalities in creating means that help citizens in increasing their knowledge and encourage them to participate in the budgeting process.

The project also intends to enhance the capacities of the municipality staff members and civil actors in using ICT instruments for good governance and transparency.

Considering transparency a key to encouraging good and accountable governance, this project follows a model of technological innovation and strengthens citizens’ right to information. In both applications, information is made available in a format that is easy to find, understand, and reuse (open knowledge format). Users of such instruments include citizens and civil actors as well as representatives of the Citizens Advisory Panels, public administration members, and media representatives, who report on local government developments.

The applications on Money Mapping and Monitoring Treasury Transaction are already finalized and presented for the six model municipalities, partner local government units of PLGP: Fier, Lushnje, Korça, Elbasan, Berat, and Kuçova.

Municipality of Fier