Workshop organized by AIS, topic: “Civil Society and Parliament in the Process of Drafting, Consulting, and Approving the State Budget

On November 27th, the organization AIS, a leading advocate for Open Data Albania, hosted a training session for local organizations, activists, and journalists on the topic: “Civil Society and Parliament in the Process of Drafting, Consulting, and Approving the State Budget.” The event was part of the project “Increasing Parliamentary Responsiveness to Citizens’ Concerns,” supported by the British Embassy in Tirana and implemented by a…

Collaboration with Institutions. There has been public pressure for investigations and audits of reported high-risk cases.

The High State Audit (ALSAI), in preparing its Annual Audit Planning Methodology document, published in March 2024, (page 7), listed AIS’s Open Data platforms – Open Procurement Albania and Open Spending Albania – as sources contributing to the collection of information and alerts during the drafting it’s the Annual Audit Plan. Throughout 2023–2024, data on high-risk procurements has been exchanged. This means that tenders marked…

Tracking Corruption through Open Data and Evidence. Training for activists and journalists

A total of 85 young activists and journalists have been trained by the AIS organization on the practical aspects of Tracking Corruption through Open Data and Evidence-Based Data. The final session of this training took place on October 11-12th, as part of the activities of the EU4 Rule of Law: Citizens Engagement for Public Integrity (CEPI) project in the Western Balkans and Turkey, funded by…

Empowering Fact-Based Journalism – A DataThon with Investigative Journalists. Instilling the Watchdog Culture

A DataThon for media professionals, held on November 1-2, 2024 in Berat, brought together 25 leading investigative journalists from prestigious TV’s and newspapers, such as Top Channel; A2 CNN; Klan News; Syri Tv; News 24; ABC News; Panorama; Vizion Plus; MCN TV etc. For two consecutive days, journalists, mentored by AIS staff, worked together to create stories on corruption and issues in Public Procurement. The…

Personal corruption stories or case studies developed from database or NIS assessments illustrating the social impact of Corruption

1.Investigative Case PPP Incinerators: See the full case data and analysis available in PDF and Excel formats. 2.Appropriation of State Property, Military Sector: See the full case data and analysis available in PDF and Excel formats. 3.Investigative Case PPP Agreement, Health Sector: See the full case data and analysis available in PDF and Excel formats. 4.Balkanweb published an investigation: The Reconstruction Scandal: €2.5 million for…

Call for Active Youth from Berat and Has

Young individuals are invited to apply if they wish to be Active, Informed, and Engaged Citizens. Albanian Institute of Science (AIS), promoter of Open Data Albania, invites youth from the Has and Berat Municipalities to take part in activities aimed at raising awareness and building capacities for advocacy and monitoring of Public Spending and Procurement. Applicants who wish to participate in training, info sessions, and…

Training – Tracking Corruption through Data and Evidence: Issues of Transparency

Organizer: Albanian Institute of Science (AIS), promotor of Open Data Albania. Participants: 1. Civil Society Representatives; 2. Journalists; 3. Members of the Open Data Youth Fellowship for Anti-Corruption. Project: This activity takes place within the framework of the “EU4 Rule of Law: Citizen Engagement for Public Integrity (CEPI) in the Western Balkans and Turkey” project. The Project is funded by the European Union. Topics covered in…

Public Consultation on the Anticorruption Draft-Strategy. AIS proposes the inclusion of State Owned Companies (SOC) in the list of high-risk sectors

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…

Concerns and Advocacy for Transparency on the Beneficial Ownership of Companies Providing Consultancy to the Albanian Government in Strategic Sectors

Three civil society organizations, engaged in issues related to transparency, anti-corruption, good governance, and reporting on organized crime and corruption, namely: The Albanian Network for Reporting on Organized Crime and Corruption, with Executive Director Lindita Çela The Albanian Center for Economic Research (ACER), with Executive Director Mr. Zef Preçi The Albanian Institute of Science (AIS), promoter of Open Data Albania, with Executive Director Aranita Brahaj…

Info-sessions with Journalists: Investigative journalists use data, evidence, and visualizations from the Open Procurement Albania database for LGUs – Examples

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…

Civil Society and the role of the Parliament in the Drafting, Consultation and Approval Process of the State Budget – Training on Kamëz, July 26, 2024

Organized by: AIS Organization, a promotor of Open Data Albania. Project and Partnership: Increasing Parliament’s Responsiveness to Citizens’ Concerns, Project supported by the British Embassy in Tirana and implemented by a consortium led by IDM, in partnership with Citizens Channel and AIS. Objective: Building the capacities of CSOs, activists and local media to contribute in the planning of the state budget and public spending policies…

Civil Society and the role of the Parliament in the Drafting, Consultation and Approval Process of the State Budget – Training on Kukës, July 16, 2024

Organized by: AIS, promotor of Open Data Albania. Project and Partnership: Increasing Parliament’s Responsiveness to Citizens’ Concerns, Project supported by the British Embassy in Tirana and implemented by a consortium led by IDM, in partnership with Citizens Channel and AIS. Objective: Building the capacities of CSOs, activists and local media to contribute in the planning of the state budget and public spending policies Area: Districts…

Civil Society and the role of the Parliament in the Drafting, Consultation and Approval Process of the State Budget – Training on Shkodër, July 15, 2024

Organized by: AIS, promotor of Open Data Albania. Project and Partnership: Increasing Parliament’s Responsiveness to Citizens’ Concerns, Project supported by the British Embassy in Tirana and implemented by a consortium led by IDM, in partnership with Citizens Channel and AIS. Objective: Building the capacities of CSOs, activists and local media to contribute in the planning of the state budget and public spending policies Area: Districts…

Top 10 Businesses ranked based on the value of State Treasury Transactions registered in 2023

Open Data Albania is publishing a list businesses benefiting the most from the State Treasury Transactions during the 12 months of 2023. Exempted from the examination are payments with state institutions as beneficiaries or payments towards second tier banks. Likewise excluded are that category of transactions that comprises a transfer towards a publicly owned company. During 2023 as much as 282 103 transactions towards budgetary…

Final DataThon event on July 4th and 5th (at Rogner)

The Final DataThon event took place on July 4th and 5th at the Rogner Hotel. On the first day, the four groups conducted a general rehearsal, refining their work through mutual Q&A sessions. Below you can find photos from the working groups: On July 5th, the final presentations covered topics such as Public Finance, Health, Budgets for Justice and Penitentiary Institutions, Cyber Security Costs, and…