TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Newsletter July - August 2021
Political and Media Debate on Procurement Corruption; AIS contributes with facts and evidences Investigation Launched After AIS Report Against Government on Misuse of Public Funds for Electoral Purposes Transparent Procurement Web, Consolidated in Clicks, Strengthens the Culture of Citizens’ Monitoring through Data 
Political and Media Debate on Procurement Corruption; AIS contributes with facts and evidences
The country got involved in a political and media debate over corruption in tendering procedures just weeks before the start of the third governing term of the SP and Prime Minister Rama. The debate began following the arrest of the Director of the Centralized Purchasing Agency and an incumbent Mayor. The government recognizes corruption in procurements as a phenomenon of Municipalities. However, an Algorithm for risk assessment in tenders created by AIS/Open Data finds that central government sectors such as Health , Infrastructure (Roads) Investment, and State-Owned Enterprises involve a higher risk and potential for abuse compared to Municipalities. Influential media in the country like VOA orTopChannel introduced and used AIS/Open Data facts and findings as part of the public discourse. Open Data Albania is often quoted in the media and has been highlighted throughout public debates in the country.
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Investigation Launched After AIS Report Against Government on Misuse of Public Funds for Electoral Purposes
The State Election Commissioner has launched an administrative investigation about the Abuse of Public Money in Elections, through individual grants from the Earthquake Reconstruction Fund. Through its Requisition Letter No.Protocol 6092 The Commissioner has asked the Central Government and the Municipality of Durres to provide information and facts on the subject of the report by AIS/Open Data Albania. By Decision No. 439 , it was decided that the investigation had to be considered a complex one, requiring additional administrative investigations and a longer term than 60 days. Our organization has asked the Commissioner to initiate an administrative investigation, recognize and verify the facts, and involve some, independent international expertise on the use of public funds in the Election Campaign. Finally, to identify responsibilities for Electoral Favoritism through Misuse of Public Money (Article 92/5 of the Code). For more information about the arguments and evidence submitted to the Commissioner, read our full Report on our website
Transparent Procurement Web, Consolidated in Clicks, Strengthens the Culture of Citizens’ Monitoring through Data
Google Analytics shows that the Open Procurement site has 21.3% more Unique Visitors (Users) and 24.5% more Sessions Visited in August. Although, this is neither a gossip news, nor a beauty and wellness website, this result shows that the audience is starting to acquire the monitoring culture of public procurement and contracting. Good news! Databases accessible on this website contain Information, Dates and Documents for Municipality tenders; Post-Earthquake Reconstruction Program ; Health ;Tenders of the Albanian Development Fund ;Tender of the Albanian Road Authority ; State Tenders ; Concentrated Purchasing Agency ; PPP/Concessions . We extent our thanks to our current and former Donors that supported such databases like Sida, US Embassy and NED.
Albanian Institute of Science
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