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Workshop on “Electronic Asset Declaration Systems to Maximize Transparency”

In the framework of the USAID Albania project, Transparency in the Health System THE, AIS, as a local partner in the project, organized a workshop with Inspectors from the High Inspectorate for the Declaration and Audit of Assets and Conflict of Interests. The workshop on Models of Best Practices of Electronic Systems of Assets Declaration for increased Transparency and was held was held on the 29th of October in Tirana. Law No. 42/2017 on amendments to the Law on the Declaration and Audit of Assets, Financial Obligations of elected persons and some civil servants” provides now for online declaration and publication of assets by high-level officials and elected people. The purpose of this workshop was to enhance the capacity and share knowledge about the challenges associated with the use of an online declaration system.

Law No. 42/2017 “On the Declaration and Audit of Assets, Financial Obligations of Elected Persons and Certain Public Officials”, Article 16, foresees the publication of the statements of private interests in the official website of the Institution, in accordance with the legal framework on the right to information and protection of personal data. Considering the publication of these data should be in compliance with integrity, control and accountability as foreseen by the legal framework, we view the training on challenges and issues related to the online submission and publication of the asset declaration as a major asset, that would enhance the knowledge, raise capacity and prepare the technical staff of HIDAACI on possible issues on publication of confidential, personal and edited data, in compliance with the applicable law on the right to information and protection of personal data.

Workshop intended results:

  1. Expanded knowledge about the challenges of online publication of the declarations;
  2. Enhanced competencies, knowledge and capacity of HIDAACI officials regarding best practices of asset declaration systems, practices that help maximise transparency;
  3. Information about publication standards in line with the legal framework, regarding integrity and accountability;
  4. Deeper knowledge about the algorithmic instruments used to assess risk and calculate discrepancies;
  5. Increased competencies, knowledge and capacity regarding methods for structuring information on the internet for ease of use (search and re-use).

Expected Outputs:

Upon completion of this event, the HIDAACI staff is expected to have benefitted the following:

  1. Enhanced knowledge on the challenges of online publication of the declarations and how to successfully overcome them;
  2. Increased competencies, knowledge and capacities among HIDAACI’s officials on best practices of asset declaration systems that can help maximize transparency;
  3. Enhanced information on publication standards in compliance with the legal framework, regarding integrity and accountability;
  4. Deeper knowledge on algorithmic instruments that assess risk and calculate discrepancies;
  5. Increased competencies, knowledge and capacities on methods for structuring online information for ease of use (search and re-use).

The training materials can be accessed in the following link:

  • Training Curricula (PDF)
  • Comparative Desk Research (PDF)
  • Projection of an Asset Declaration System with Online Submission and Publication (PDF)
  • Best practice/s from similar asset declaration systems (PDF)
  • Publication standards in compliance with the legal framework (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.

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

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.