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:
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).
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 – AIS Executive Director
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/6-1.png776660adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2024-08-26 12:22:442024-10-26 13:56:32Public Consultation on the Anticorruption Draft-Strategy. AIS proposes the inclusion of State Owned Companies (SOC) in the list of high-risk sectors
Round table: Institutional Risk Assessment in Tendering and the need for intervention.
A meeting was held with the head of the Public Procurement Agency and investigative journalists discussing the Institutional Risk Assessment in Tendering and the need for intervention.
While the Government aims to initiate a Reform and Initiative for Legal and Sectoral Changes regarding Public Procurement, the applying organization has contested several aspects of these Legal Changes within the realm of public procurement. These contested aspects pose risks of limiting access for civil actors, media, citizens, and representatives of watchdog associations.
The concerns stem from the creation of a new electronic system for Tender Notification and its development, which is expected to be accompanied by tendering services from a private Operator requiring payment. This development raises concerns about potential barriers to information and participation, potentially limiting transparency and inclusivity in the public procurement.
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/462242610_965944322239727_8382699791370635134_n.jpg9601280adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2024-06-17 12:25:522024-10-08 13:43:21Round table: Institutional Risk Assessment in Tendering and the need for intervention.
Even throughout May, dozens of media reports in newspapers, television screens or web-portals were written based on evidences and information extracted from AIS / Open Data Albania databases. The organization continues to strengthen fact-based and quality journalism despite the struggle to secure the continuation its programs targeting the use of Open Data for Anti-corruption efforts. We have routinely assisted media representatives through info sessions, training or meetings held at the organization’s offices. Every week, journalists are being supplied with OpenData and well-structured LinkedData on public tenders, public expenditures and businesses that were awarded the status of public contractors.
Having access to well-structured, fast, complete and transparent information over public spending and public contracting, journalists build stories/reports based on data or are able to do fact checking. This type of quality journalism demolishes propaganda, produces indisputable investigation pieces and sheds light on cases of conflict of interest, abuse of office or irregularities.
Info-sessions with Journalists. (1-2 each month). The Albanian Institute of Science hosts journalists in its premises every other week, during which they report and use our data to conduct Investigative Articles. Most journalists use information related to Tenders and Red Flag Assessment in tenders. These Info sessions are preceded by announcements on social network and a WhatsApp communication group. Their result is related to the distribution of the information contained in the Databases [Open Contracting Albania Project – Impact on the Media – Albanian Institute of Science (ais.al) https://ais.al/new/en/open-contracting-albania project-impact-on-the-media/ ], preparation of media articles and television stories. Almost every media outlet in the country has at least once made a media report based on the information present in our Public Procurement Database. (see List of Media Titles, Articles quoted in the Media).
Among the Media Reports for the month of May, we list:
The Voice of America, the Albanian-language reporting broadcaster, published on May 9th a News Chronicle titled: OpenDataAlbania (AIS’s main project) finds Prime Minister Rama’s figures on public procurement inaccurate
The news is built as a Fact Checking report. The Prime Minister’s statement on the wide distribution of public contracts in a large number of business entities is confronted with statistical data of a ten-year period monitored by the team that works for AIS’s Transparent Databases in the Public Procurement sector, shortly referred as Open Procurement Albania.
Contrary to the Prime Minister’s propaganda about 25,000 businesses that have been awarded public tenders, the organization can confirm that the number of Businesses that benefit from public money through public contracting, all in all does not exceed 4,000.
2. CNA media investigates senior public officials in potential Conflict of Interest, connected to family business success
Under Investigation by SPAK/ tens of millions of euros turnover and profit from Veliaj’s brother’s company
The news investigates the growing economic performance of a business, which follows the rotation in the Municipality of Tirana administration after the 2015 Elections
Media reporting uses as evidence the Gogel Business Passport crated in our Open Corporates Albania database.
Open Corporates (ownership) database Albania is a database created to enable data tracking, as well as improve and disclose (disclose) data on Ownership and Conflict of Interest for Businesses that have been awarded public contracts or have connections with important sectors and incumbents.
3. The Telegraf Newspaper published on its front page an Article on Budgetary Payments for PPP programs or Inefficient Concessions under investigation by SPAK
In its reporting, Telegraf uses data from an Analysis produced by Open Data Albania on payments from the State Treasury for these programs. More specifically: Albanian citizens’ taxes in the Budget will pay for Concessionary PPP contracts .
4.The Balkanweb News Portal and News 24 TV published an Investigation entitled “Doubts about fictitious competition/ OSHEE tenders in the Energy (sector) are won by the same company, the other company only in the race to favor the winner
This investigation is triggered by the list of procedures with a risk of competition abuse, produced by our Open Procurement Albania Platform, in which tendering procedures are scanned every day and those that present a risk for inequality and competitiveness are marked with RedFlag.
AIS Promoter of Open Data for Albania thanks fellow journalists and media editors who conveyed to their audience concerns or struggles AIS/OpenDataAlbania is encountering in securing funds to implement Watchdog and Anti-corruption projects.
BalkanWeb: Anti-corruption projects in the absence of funds and donors. The AIS organization asks for help, OpenSpendingAlbania is in danger of being closed due to lack of funds
Faktor.al: Anti-corruption projects in the absence of funds and Donator! AIS organization asks for help, OpenSpendingAlbania is in danger of being closed
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2024-06-09-160227.png9381116adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2024-06-09 15:59:212024-10-08 13:48:04Empowering fact-based journalism through Open and Linked Data - Media Impact, May 2024
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2024-06-09-101730.png829919adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2024-06-09 14:53:082024-06-09 14:52:47The online media Fjala published the article: The names of the ten companies that benefited 6 billion Euros from the State Treasury.
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2024-06-09-101331.png881734adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2024-06-09 14:46:522024-06-09 14:46:52Ora News Evening Interview. Brahaj reveals that we don’t have Foreign Strategic Investors, they are the same ones that receive concessions and public tenders.
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2024-05-06-164452.png714627adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2024-06-09 14:44:542024-06-09 14:44:54The online media Gogo: Here’s the companies that bought land all over the country for 1 Euro.
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2024-06-09-102031.png922788adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2024-06-09 14:42:472024-06-09 14:42:47The Reporter platform published the following analysis: The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Tendering can turn into an alibi for corruption.
Syri TV investigation: The Plug Show – The companies of Kujtim Qefaliaj’s (MP) son-in-law awarded 76 tenders by Erion Veliaj (the Mayor) Investigation Link
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2024-06-09-100334.png755553adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2024-06-09 14:35:482024-06-09 14:36:46Syri TV investigation: The companies of Kujtim Qefaliaj’s (MP) son-in-law awarded 76 tenders by Erion Veliaj (the Mayor)
Vetting reveals what has been going on behind-the-scenes. Balluku (Deputy Prime Minister) the bandmaster of the Llogara tunnel’s tendering – the project’s supervision awarded to Berberi’s partner (former Albanian Road Authority director in the prison on charges of corruption) News Link
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/IMG_9648-1.jpeg24961284adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2024-06-09 14:33:262024-06-09 14:33:26Gazeta Panorama published the article: Vetting reveals what has been going on behind-the-scenes.
https://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/Bashkite-175-tendera-me-rrisk-1.jpeg11111722adminhttp://ais.al/new/wp-content/uploads/aislogo1.pngadmin2024-06-09 14:30:022024-06-09 14:30:02NewsBamob reports: Actuality. 175 suspicious municipal tenders. They don’t fear SPAK.
Public Consultation on the Anticorruption Draft-Strategy. AIS proposes the inclusion of State Owned Companies (SOC) in the list of high-risk sectors
/in Events, Homeposts, Press Releases /by adminIn 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:
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).
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 – AIS Executive Director
Round table: Institutional Risk Assessment in Tendering and the need for intervention.
/in Events /by adminRound table: Institutional Risk Assessment in Tendering and the need for intervention.
A meeting was held with the head of the Public Procurement Agency and investigative journalists discussing the Institutional Risk Assessment in Tendering and the need for intervention.
While the Government aims to initiate a Reform and Initiative for Legal and Sectoral Changes regarding Public Procurement, the applying organization has contested several aspects of these Legal Changes within the realm of public procurement. These contested aspects pose risks of limiting access for civil actors, media, citizens, and representatives of watchdog associations.
The concerns stem from the creation of a new electronic system for Tender Notification and its development, which is expected to be accompanied by tendering services from a private Operator requiring payment. This development raises concerns about potential barriers to information and participation, potentially limiting transparency and inclusivity in the public procurement.
Empowering fact-based journalism through Open and Linked Data – Media Impact, May 2024
/in Press Releases /by adminEven throughout May, dozens of media reports in newspapers, television screens or web-portals were written based on evidences and information extracted from AIS / Open Data Albania databases. The organization continues to strengthen fact-based and quality journalism despite the struggle to secure the continuation its programs targeting the use of Open Data for Anti-corruption efforts. We have routinely assisted media representatives through info sessions, training or meetings held at the organization’s offices. Every week, journalists are being supplied with OpenData and well-structured LinkedData on public tenders, public expenditures and businesses that were awarded the status of public contractors.
Having access to well-structured, fast, complete and transparent information over public spending and public contracting, journalists build stories/reports based on data or are able to do fact checking. This type of quality journalism demolishes propaganda, produces indisputable investigation pieces and sheds light on cases of conflict of interest, abuse of office or irregularities.
Info-sessions with Journalists. (1-2 each month). The Albanian Institute of Science hosts journalists in its premises every other week, during which they report and use our data to conduct Investigative Articles. Most journalists use information related to Tenders and Red Flag Assessment in tenders. These Info sessions are preceded by announcements on social network and a WhatsApp communication group. Their result is related to the distribution of the information contained in the Databases [Open Contracting Albania Project – Impact on the Media – Albanian Institute of Science (ais.al) https://ais.al/new/en/open-contracting-albania project-impact-on-the-media/ ], preparation of media articles and television stories. Almost every media outlet in the country has at least once made a media report based on the information present in our Public Procurement Database. (see List of Media Titles, Articles quoted in the Media).
Among the Media Reports for the month of May, we list:
The news is built as a Fact Checking report. The Prime Minister’s statement on the wide distribution of public contracts in a large number of business entities is confronted with statistical data of a ten-year period monitored by the team that works for AIS’s Transparent Databases in the Public Procurement sector, shortly referred as Open Procurement Albania.
Contrary to the Prime Minister’s propaganda about 25,000 businesses that have been awarded public tenders, the organization can confirm that the number of Businesses that benefit from public money through public contracting, all in all does not exceed 4,000.
Link video
Link of News
The data upon which this media report was build on was published on the Data.al website. Fact-Checking: Verification of Public Procurement Statistical Data, reported by Prime Minister Rama at the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group Meeting on 07.05.2024 – Open Data Albania (ndiqparate.al)
2. CNA media investigates senior public officials in potential Conflict of Interest, connected to family business success
Under Investigation by SPAK/ tens of millions of euros turnover and profit from Veliaj’s brother’s company
The news investigates the growing economic performance of a business, which follows the rotation in the Municipality of Tirana administration after the 2015 Elections
Media reporting uses as evidence the Gogel Business Passport crated in our Open Corporates Albania database.
News
Open Corporates (ownership) database Albania is a database created to enable data tracking, as well as improve and disclose (disclose) data on Ownership and Conflict of Interest for Businesses that have been awarded public contracts or have connections with important sectors and incumbents.
3. The Telegraf Newspaper published on its front page an Article on Budgetary Payments for PPP programs or Inefficient Concessions under investigation by SPAK
In its reporting, Telegraf uses data from an Analysis produced by Open Data Albania on payments from the State Treasury for these programs. More specifically: Albanian citizens’ taxes in the Budget will pay for Concessionary PPP contracts .
News Link
4.The Balkanweb News Portal and News 24 TV published an Investigation entitled “Doubts about fictitious competition/ OSHEE tenders in the Energy (sector) are won by the same company, the other company only in the race to favor the winner
This investigation is triggered by the list of procedures with a risk of competition abuse, produced by our Open Procurement Albania Platform, in which tendering procedures are scanned every day and those that present a risk for inequality and competitiveness are marked with RedFlag.
AIS Promoter of Open Data for Albania thanks fellow journalists and media editors who conveyed to their audience concerns or struggles AIS/OpenDataAlbania is encountering in securing funds to implement Watchdog and Anti-corruption projects.
BalkanWeb: Anti-corruption projects in the absence of funds and donors. The AIS organization asks for help, OpenSpendingAlbania is in danger of being closed due to lack of funds
Link
Economic magazine Monitor: The unique portal with data on budget payments “Open Spending Albania” is closed due to lack of funds
Link
Web Portal Eskluzive: Alarm/ Closure of Open Data for “lack of funds” a heavy blow for transparency, media and democracy!
Link
Lapsi.al: The “Open Spending Albania” portal with data on budget payments is closed due to lack of funds
Linku
Faktor.al: Anti-corruption projects in the absence of funds and Donator! AIS organization asks for help, OpenSpendingAlbania is in danger of being closed
Link
OraNews: The unique portal with data on budget payments “Open Spending Albania” is closed due to lack of funds
Link
BoldNews: Lack of funds, the closure of the “Open Procurement Albania” portal is at risk
Link
Politiko: Anti-corruption projects lack funds, AIS asks for help, OpenSpendingAlbania risks being closed
Link
RD News.al: Open Data Albania – Institute for the benefit of transparency and accountability
Link
Syri TV: Anti-corruption projects with a lack of funds, the organization AIS seeks support
Link
Dosja.al: The portal with data on budget payments “Open Spending Albania” is closed due to lack of funds
Link
The online media Fjala published the article: The names of the ten companies that benefited 6 billion Euros from the State Treasury.
/in Media Coverage @en /by adminNews Link
Ora News Evening Interview. Brahaj reveals that we don’t have Foreign Strategic Investors, they are the same ones that receive concessions and public tenders.
/in Media Coverage @en /by adminThe online media Gogo: Here’s the companies that bought land all over the country for 1 Euro.
/in Media Coverage @en /by adminThe Reporter platform published the following analysis: The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Tendering can turn into an alibi for corruption.
/in Media Coverage @en /by adminSyri TV investigation: The companies of Kujtim Qefaliaj’s (MP) son-in-law awarded 76 tenders by Erion Veliaj (the Mayor)
/in Media Coverage @en /by adminSyri TV investigation: The Plug Show – The companies of Kujtim Qefaliaj’s (MP) son-in-law awarded 76 tenders by Erion Veliaj (the Mayor) Investigation Link
Gazeta Panorama published the article: Vetting reveals what has been going on behind-the-scenes.
/in Media Coverage @en /by adminNewsBamob reports: Actuality. 175 suspicious municipal tenders. They don’t fear SPAK.
/in Media Coverage @en /by admin