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ASAI’s new web applications for better monitoring and increased transparency

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The Albanian Supreme Audit Institution organized for the second year in a row, in the period between October 25 – December 14, the “Open Month 2018”. During two open days, ASAI invited the Albanian Institute of Science to present the developed tools, within the framework of “Transparency in Health Engagement” USAID Albania Project.

On November 15th and 21st, in the premises of ASAI, AIS presented the four tools developed for this institution, respectively Red Flags and Open Data the first day and Data Mining and Complaint Mechanism the second day. These tools have been developed aiming to increase the transparency of the Albanian Supreme Audit and to facilitate procedures for identifying issues and publishing the results from audit reports.

These web applications aim to empower and increase the transparency of this independent institution, by giving the latter the opportunity to monitor procurement procedures conducted by public institutions; to receive real time signalling of tenders and contracts with potential exposure or risk for unlawful or unethical business conduct, mainly as regards non-compliance with anti-corruption laws; to communicate more easily and efficiently with the citizens; to publish reports in open data format (easier to read, understand, download and re-use); to create a database with media articles prepared by ASAI employees and articles with topics of interest to ASAI.

On the public’s question regarding the sustainability of these tools, the Director of the Directorate of Communication, Publishing and Foreign Relations, Ms. Islami answered that all the indications that will be received through these instruments will be included in the SAI’s audit plan and the use of mechanisms has become part of the SAI’s internal regulation, starting with the Red Flags mechanism.

Workshop with High State Audit officials on Data Usability and Red Flags Algorithm: Instruments for Transparency and Anti-Corruption

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Within the framework of the “Transparency in Health Engagement Project” funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and implemented by University Research Company, LLC (URC), a two 2-day workshop was delivered by Project partner Albanian Institute of Science (AIS) for the staff of the Albanian Supreme Audit Institution (ALSAI) on Data Usability and Red Flags Algorithm: Instruments for Transparency and Anti-Corruption. The 26 participants included auditors from several departments, as well as IT and communications specialists. The workshop enhanced the capacities of the staff about the use of Open Data standards in preparing auditing reports and publications in order to increase transparency of public information, and in fighting corruption. The Red Flags algorithm is a mechanism that can signal the need for an audit and investigation in the tendering and public contracting process through the flagging of actions that have a higher risk for abuse, inequality, or lack of competition. In this regard, the participants were introduced to guidelines explaining in detail the main indicators for risk evaluation in the tendering process. As a result of the Transparency in Health Engagement Project, ALSAI will implement a red flags algorithm for public procurement procedures in the health sector.

The training materials can be accessed in the following links:

  • Training Curricula (PDF)
  • Data Usability – Part I (PDF)
  • Data Usability – Part II (PDF)
  • Red Flags Algorithm – An Instrument for Transparency and Anti-Corruption (PDF)
  • Guide to the Identification of Red Flags in Public Procurement in the Health Sector (PDF)
  • Topics for Discussion (PDF)

Transparency in Health Engagement project is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the terms of its Contract.

Agreement Number: Contract Number: AID-182-C-17-00001 (USAID/ Transparency in Health Engagement Project held by prime recipient University Research Company, LLC (URC) and by sub-recipient Albania Institute of Science (AIS), Tetra Tech, and Boston University.

The Transparency in Health Engagement project is funded and managed by the USAID/Albania.

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

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

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