Empowering Women Entrepreneurs to successfully bid in Public Tendering for Local Government Units – this was the title of the roundtable held on 19 December, organized by AIS.
During this roundtable, data and challenges related to the economic empowerment of women and gender groups were presented in the areas of Procurement, Contracting, Entrepreneurship, and Gender-Responsive Budgeting Programs.
The objective of the meeting was Driving Policy Change and Fostering Collaboration among stakeholders to enable a more equitable procurement process for women entrepreneurs.
The detailed agenda of the roundtable is available HERE.
The event was attended by invited key representatives from Parliament, Government Institutions, International Organizations, Donors, Women’s Rights Organizations, Business Organizations and Albanian Universities.
The full list of participants who attended the roundtable is available HERE.
AIS is implementing the project “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs to successfully bid in Public Tendering for Local Government Units”, financed by the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.
During the event, data and findings on the Economic Empowerment of Women were presented, specifically by:
- Blerina Gjaci Lesi – Expert, Data Analyst. Author of “Women-Led Businesses in the Public Procurement Process” Aggregated Statistical Insights from Open Procurement Albania & Open Corporates Albania. Presented by AIS – Promoter of Open Data Albania.
Presentation: Public Procurement at the Local Government Level: A Gender Perspective 2023 – 2024
- Valbona Sulce Kolgeci – Expert on Gender and Media Issues, author of the project Focus Group. “Challenges of Women’s Economic Empowerment through Contracting and Public Contracts”.
Presentation: Challenges to Women’s Economic Empowerment in Public Contracting
- Professor Merita Poni – “Economic and Social Empowerment of Women in Albania” (author of the TFL report).
Presentation: Effectiveness of Policies and Public Funds
The project goal is to increase information and capacities of women who own or manage small businesses by informing them and building their capacities on the use of the electronic public procurement system.
The long-term goal of the project is to encourage women’s participation and application in the public procurement process and the awarding of small contracts by Local Government Units (LGUs).
The event was further distinguished by the presence of prominent leaders and key representatives from government, international organizations, and civil society, highlighting the high-level commitment to women’s economic empowerment and inclusive public procurement:
- Milva Ekonomi, Member of Parliament, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Economy, Employment, and Finance
- Michele Ribotta, Representative of UN Women in Albania
- Xhoana Ristani, Director of the Directorate for Strategic Policy Implementation and Integration, Public Procurement Agency
- Daniela Laze, Head of the Sector for Strategic Policy Implementation and Statistics, Public Procurement Agency
- Genci Kojdheli, Director General for Integration, Strategic Planning, and Economic Development, Municipality of Tirana
- Elisabeta Kaza, Ministry of Health and Social Protection
- Antonela Hako and Denisa Biba, Women’s Economic Chamber.
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