The members of the National Platform for Public Procurement (NPPP) met in session on Monday, 20 October 2025. During the meeting, the Ministry of Finance presented the Government decision on the approval of standard forms for publishing announcements in the field of public, sectoral, defense, and security procurement, as well as concessions, and the experts of IDIS "Viitorul" – an analysis of the mechanism for carrying out a joint procurement and the factors that hinder the association. The event took place in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, within the project “Supporting Moldova’s public procurement reform in the EU accession context”, implemented by IDIS "Viitorul", with the financial support of the European Union, between September 2025 and September 2026.

At the beginning of the meeting, Ana Luca, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance, stated that discussion sessions on public procurement are increasingly in demand and that more and more people are requesting to participate in such initiatives where recommendations are made. Important decisions are taken regarding the public procurement reform undertaken by the Ministry of Finance. Ana Luca emphasized that PNAP meetings contribute to increasing the degree of transparency in public procurement, standardized electronic forms (or eForms) increase the degree of digitalization of public procurement in the Republic of Moldova, and procurement through association, even if they present risks in addition to the multiple benefits they have, need additional measures to be used by the authorities.

Present at the meeting, Wojciech Paczynski, program manager at the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, appreciated the platform's activities as an efficient mechanism for promoting transparency, efficiency, and integrity in public procurement. Referring to the introduction of the eForms system, the EU representative noted that it represents the basis of the digitalization process of the national public procurement system and is an essential tool for the business environment, facilitating the participation of economic agents in procurement procedures, especially small enterprises, which do not have resources comparable to those of large companies. Regarding procurement association, Wojciech Paczynski acknowledged that this mechanism is "interesting, but also complex", opening up a promising field that offers numerous benefits - from financial savings and streamlining time resources, to a more judicious use of public funds. However, he stated that these procurement associations cannot be applied in all cases, requiring a careful assessment of the context and specifics of each procedure.

Carolina Ungureanu, deputy director at IDIS "Viitorul" and project manager, said that this dialogue is essential for civil society, as all those interested in public procurement can openly discuss the reform in this field. In the context of European integration, adjustment to the acquis communautaire, implementation of the national program on public procurement, and the economic growth program, civil society must directly address the critical topics that need to be advanced.

In the first part of the meeting, Lilia Radul, a senior consultant within the Public Procurement Policy Directorate of the Ministry of Finance, presented the Government decision approving standard forms for publishing announcements in the fields of public procurement, sectoral procurement, defense and security, and concessions. According to Lilia Radul, the obligation to use electronic forms by contracting authorities and entities will enter into force on 1 January 2027, and by then, the necessary technical preparations will have been completed. Among the benefits of eForms, Lilia Radul explained, are: digitalising the procurement process; increasing data transparency; reducing the administrative burden through automatic completion; strengthening fair competition and public trust; and promoting sustainable procurement. "The implementation of eForms will contribute to the modernization, transparency, and efficiency of the public procurement system and to the European integration of the Republic of Moldova. The implementation of the system aims to harmonize the national framework with European legislation on electronic forms," said Lilia Radul.

With reference to eForms, PNAP members expressed hope that the system will be operational from 1 January      2027, to avoid the risk of using outdated forms and delay the promised digitalization. Likewise, they appreciated that centralizing this data would improve the quality of statistics in the field. They also recommended organizing training on completing the new forms, clearly explaining EU public procurement rules to ensure smooth procedures, and translating documents into English using artificial intelligence to ensure transparency.

In the second part of the meeting, IDIS "Viitorul" experts Silviu Plopa and Diana Enachi presented an analysis of the mechanism for conducting joint procurements and the barriers to the association process. The experts analyzed the legislative framework and national and international practices to highlight the advantages of joint procurement and identify legal obstacles that prevent contracting authorities from joining forces in procurement procedures. To determine the extent to which authorities are aware of the regulations and mechanisms of association, the benefits of joint procurement, and the barriers to using association, at the initiative of IDIS „Viitorul”, a questionnaire was filled 68 public authorities at the central and local levels.

"The purpose of joint procurement is to carry out procedures that bring value to public money. We find that attention is focused more on procedure than on performance and efficiency. Sometimes we need to focus on performance and efficiency rather than compliance with the law, which is very important. Still, some indicators allow us to avoid breaking the law while remaining efficient. Association in procurement allows us to procure more, more qualitatively, to cover more needs to gain authority, the public budget, and communities," said Diana Enachi.

According to Silviu Plopa, the legal framework allows contracting authorities to associate to procure certain types of goods and services. This type of association is less characteristic of works procurement. The basic finding is that the authorities do not have a secondary framework, any guides, instructions, or other forms of support that would guide them in practically applying this association. If the rules are not very clear, the authorities do not risk using them, to avoid them being later interpreted inappropriately.

"Joint procurement brings financial savings, offers more advantageous prices to authorities with small budgets. Likewise, administrative work decreases compared to organizing separate tenders, saving time and resources, increasing procurement efficiency and quality, and thus reducing the number of acts of corruption. For economic agents, joint procurements improve the efficiency of their supply chains. They also allow them to consolidate their position on the market, increase their visibility and credibility, benefit from larger orders, long-term contracts, and constant income," said Silviu Plopa.

Regarding the procurement association, PNAP members mentioned that more effort and involvement would be needed to explain and disseminate information on the benefits of this practice. Local authorities implementing the association say that there are certain advantages, such as lower prices for some larger purchases.

Gheorghe Ghidora, advisor at the National Agency for Settlement of Complaints, stated that he does not recall any appeal in a procurement procedure conducted through an association. "Of course, association is not a perfect solution, even if it offers numerous advantages. The authorities should make the decision. In the case of the Balti municipality, the use of this mechanism is logical given the authority's size and capacity. Otherwise, association limits the flexibility of the authorities and is avoided," said Gheorghe Ghidora.

Gheorghe Movileanu, director of the Public Procurement Agency (AAP), states that a problem with the association is that local or central public administrations do not want to give up their absolute independence in managing their budgets.

NPPP was established at the initiative of IDIS "Viitorul" on 19 December 2023, in collaboration with the Partnership for Transparency (PTF) from the USA, as part of the project "Increasing the integrity of public procurement”, which finished in June 2025. NPPP's activities continue within the project "Supporting Moldova’s public procurement reform in the EU accession context", implemented by IDIS "Viitorul" with the support of the European Union.

NPPP members represent authorities and organizations with an interest in the functioning and sustainability of the national public procurement system. The mission of the NPPP is to improve the efficiency, transparency, and integrity of the national public procurement system by addressing problems in the system, identifying solutions and proposing them as recommendations to be incorporated into policy by decision-makers.

Funded by the European Union with a budget of EUR 60000, the “Supporting Moldova’s Public Procurement Reform in the EU Accession Context” project is implemented by IDIS "Viitorul" between September 2025 and September 2026. Its goal is to build a transparent, efficient, and European standards–compliant public procurement system.

This press release was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its content represents the sole responsibility of the “Supporting Moldova’s public procurement reform in the EU accession context” project, financed by the European Union. The content of the press release belongs to the authors and does not necessarily reflect the vision of the European Union.

For additional information about the project, please get in touch with the project's communication specialist, Maria Procopciuc, at +37360088544 or at the e-mail address: maria.procopciuc@viitorul.org.

Members of the Public Procurement Monitoring Coalition met in session on Wednesday, 15 October 2025. The Coalition's activity continues within the project “Supporting Moldova’s public procurement reform in the EU accession context”, implemented by IDIS "Viitorul", with the support of the European Union, between September 2025 and September 2026. The project aims to develop a transparent, efficient, and aligned with the European standards public procurement system, thereby strengthening good governance, public accountability, and citizens' trust in state institutions, as well as promoting Moldova's accession to the EU.

At the beginning of the meeting, Carolina Ungureanu, Deputy Director at IDIS "Viitorul" and Project Manager, emphasized that, thanks to the EU-funded project, the Coalition, formed by organizations monitoring public procurement, is consolidating its activities and becoming stronger. "The EU accession process offers the Republic of Moldova the chance to transform the public procurement system based on European standards of transparency, efficiency, and fair competition. This reform requires the active involvement of civil society, which can help modernize legislation, monitor procurement, and ensure the proper use of public money. IDIS "Viitorul" supports the strengthening of civil society's capacities and aims to amplify its voice in this process. Through the Coalition, we have demonstrated that civil society can be a real partner in reforms, contributing to integrity, accountability, and trust in the way public resources are used, and with the support of the EU, we aim to continue this effort", said Carolina Ungureanu.

Present at the meeting, Wojciech Paczynski, program manager at the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, emphasized the importance of these coalitions for the proper functioning of a democratic and transparent society. He added that the EU supports such initiatives because they increase transparency, strengthen trust between citizens and institutions, and align the Republic of Moldova with European standards in public procurement. He also mentioned that initiatives of this type, which bring together representatives of civil society, public authorities, and the private sector, are essential for fostering constructive dialogue and promoting good governance, even if their organization can be complex and require considerable effort.

During the meeting, IDIS "Viitorul" experts, Silviu Plopa and Diana Enachi, presented an analysis of the mechanism for conducting joint procurements and the barriers to the association process. The experts analyzed the legislative framework and national and international practices to highlight the advantages of joint procurement and identify legal obstacles that prevent contracting authorities from joining forces in procurement procedures. To determine the extent to which authorities are aware of the regulations and mechanisms of association, the benefits of joint procurement, and the barriers to using association, at the initiative of IDIS „Viitorul”, a questionnaire was filled in by over 60 public authorities at the central and local levels.

Diana Enachi explained that joint procurement is a procedure carried out by several public authorities to jointly procure certain goods or services, thereby streamlining the process and obtaining benefits such as more competitive prices and conditions. For example, three city halls with the exact same needs can procure computer equipment through joint procurement. The expert claims that in many countries, joint procurement has proven effective for certain types of procurement. However, in the Republic of Moldova, although the legal framework allows associations to carry out joint procurement, there is no secondary framework, guidelines, or instructions that outline, step by step, what authorities must do if they decide to associate for a specific procurement.

Silviu Plopa emphasized that both contracting authorities and economic agents benefit from the association. For example, contracting authorities with limited budgets can benefit from lower prices, as joint tenders deliver savings by attracting more favorable offers. At the same time, administrative work is reduced compared to organizing separate tenders, saving time and resources. Smaller authorities can also benefit from support from larger ones, thereby increasing the efficiency and quality of procurement.

For economic agents, the advantages include cost reduction, as joint procurement improves supply chain efficiency and reduces transaction costs by simplifying processes and eliminating repetitive activities. They also allow economic agents to consolidate their position on the market, increase their visibility and credibility, collaborate with more contracting authorities, and benefit from larger orders, longer-term contracts, and consistent, predictable income.

"Association in procurement is becoming a current topic. There are more and more activities where this mechanism can be applied. This would solve the problem faced by many city halls and other contracting authorities, which lack sufficient trained personnel to carry out public procurement procedures. This would widely reduce costs, which are the first to be analyzed in a procurement process," said Maria Cojocaru, professor at Moldova State University.

Viorel Pîrvan, an expert at the Center for Analysis and Prevention of Corruption, believes that contracting authorities should consider procedures that can be carried out through association starting at the stage of drawing up the annual procurement plans, so to assess the degree of alignment of priorities with other authorities. He also argues that the process of association in procurement would reduce corruption practices in the field. "It is harder to get along when there are more actors involved," commented Viorel Pîrvan.

Tatiana Melnic, a public procurement expert and monitor, opined that the joint procurement mechanism is a tool that adds value to procurement and has considerable potential to streamline public spending. However, a more strategic approach, supported by training, clear guidelines, and institutional incentives, is needed to make joint procurement a viable and efficient practice in the Republic of Moldova.

Olga Diaconu, project coordinator at the Association for Efficient and Responsible Governance – AGER, presented the Guide on How to Use the Framework Agreement in Public Procurement. This guide is intended for public authorities who conduct procurement and economic operators who wish to participate in framework agreement award procedures, which should be interpreted in accordance with public procurement regulations. It also aims to assist contracting authorities in planning, awarding, and implementing framework agreements. The guide provides recommendations to avoid common mistakes and helps authorities determine whether a framework agreement is suitable for a specific procurement, which type of agreement to establish, and the method for awarding subsequent contracts.

The Public Procurement Monitoring Coalition was established at the initiative of IDIS "Viitorul" on 29 June 2023, in collaboration with the Partnership for Transparency (PTF) from the USA, as part of the "Strengthening Integrity in Public Procurement" project, finished in June 2025. The activity of the Public Procurement Monitoring Coalition continues within the project "Supporting Moldova’s public procurement reform in the EU accession context", implemented by IDIS "Viitorul", with the support of the European Union.

The Public Procurement Monitoring Coalition brings together 20 civil society organizations, investigative journalists, experts, and independent monitors from the Republic of Moldova. The Coalition's mission is to consolidate and coordinate the efforts of civil society organizations engaged in public procurement monitoring, and to foster constructive dialogue with public authorities.

Funded by the European Union with a budget of EUR 60000, the “Supporting Moldova’s Public Procurement Reform in the EU Accession Context” project is implemented by IDIS "Viitorul" between September 2025 and September 2026. Its goal is to build a transparent, efficient, and European standards–compliant public procurement system.

This press release was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its content represents the sole responsibility of the “Supporting Moldova’s public procurement reform in the EU accession context” project, financed by the European Union. The content of the press release belongs to the authors and does not necessarily reflect the vision of the European Union.

For additional information about the project, please get in touch with the project's communication specialist, Maria Procopciuc, at +37360088544 or at the e-mail address: maria.procopciuc@viitorul.org .

The Institute for Development and Social Initiatives "Viitorul" (IDIS), with the financial support of the European Union (EU), has started implementing the project “Supporting Moldova’s public procurement reform in the EU accession context”, which will run from September 2025 to September 2026. The project aims to develop a transparent, efficient, and aligned public procurement system in line with European standards, thereby strengthening good governance, public accountability, and citizens' trust in state institutions, and promoting Moldova's accession to the EU.

The project is aligned with the Republic of Moldova’s Growth Plan for 2025–2027 and with the commitments undertaken by our country in the process of accession to the European Union. Through the planned activities, IDIS “Viitorul” will support the Ministry of Finance, the Public Procurement Agency, the Center for Information Technologies in Finance, as well as other relevant stakeholders in the modernization and implementation of public procurement reform.

The project provides support for the development of secondary legislation and the implementation of the National Program for the Development of the Public Procurement System and the Reform Agenda related to the Growth Plan of the Republic of Moldova for 2025-2027 by developing analytical documents and policy proposals, including for centralization, certification and training of professionals in the field, as well as formulating recommendations for the modernization of the electronic public procurement system (MTender). At the same time, the project will facilitate political dialogue and inclusive consultations through roundtables and meetings of the Public Procurement Monitoring Coalition and the National Platform for Public Procurement (NPPP), a participatory mechanism that brings together government institutions, civil society, and the business environment, where ongoing reforms will be widely discussed.

A significant emphasis is placed on increasing the level of information for the general public, through explanatory notes, infographics, newsletters, and regular updates on the PulsAchizitii.md portal, so that citizens and small and medium-sized enterprises have access to clear and easy-to-understand information on public procurement reform in the context of the Republic of Moldova's accession to the EU.

"For several years, IDIS ”Viitorul” has been actively involved in the field of public procurement, monitoring the transparency and efficiency of processes, promoting legislative reform, and identifying practical solutions to improve the system. We are grateful that the European Union is providing us with the necessary support to ensure the sustainability of our actions, promote reforms, and adjust the national framework to the European Union acquis, at a crucial moment in the European path of the Republic of Moldova. It is an opportunity to strengthen institutions, support the business environment, and give citizens more confidence in how public resources is used," said Carolina Ungureanu, deputy director of IDIS "Viitorul".

Funded by the European Union with a budget of 60000 euros, the project “Supporting Moldova’s Public Procurement Reform in the EU Accession Context” is implemented by IDIS "Viitorul" between September 2025 and September 2026. Its goal is to build a transparent, efficient, and European standards–compliant public procurement system.

This press release was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its content represents the sole responsibility of the “Supporting Moldova’s public procurement reform in the EU accession context” project, financed by the European Union. The content of the press release belongs to the authors and does not necessarily reflect the vision of the European Union.

For additional information about the project, please get in touch with the project's communication specialist, Maria Procopciuc, at +37360088544 or at the e-mail address: maria.procopciuc@viitorul.org.

About 125 mayors, accountants, and public procurement specialists from dozens of local and central public administrations were trained on the public procurement process, concerning the end-to-end public procurement process—from strategic planning to contract implementation. On Thursday, September 25, the last training took place. The trainings, four in number, were organized by IDIS "Viitorul" in August and September, within the scope of the “Open Governance for Engaged Citizens” project, implemented by IDIS “Viitorul” with the support of the European Open Government Partnership (OGP EU) through the “EU for Integrity” Program under the Eastern Partnership initiative, financed by the European Union (EU).

These trainings are aimed at bolstering institutional capacity and enhancing the competencies of procurement officials and working group members to ensure that procurement processes are transparent, efficient, and fully compliant with legal standards. The curriculum covered fundamental procurement principles, legal requirements at each procedural stage, error and irregularity mitigation, as well as strategies for optimizing resource utilization and raising procurement quality standards.

Trainer Diana Enachi, a seasoned procurement expert at IDIS “Viitorul,” delineated critical aspects including the legal framework governing public procurement, procedural stages, thresholds, applicable modalities, preparation of tender documentation, electronic publication and execution of procurement procedures, contract award mechanisms, dispute resolution, and other pertinent elements.

"The public procurement process is complex and requires a good understanding of the legal framework, but also of the practical stages - from planning to contract execution. Through this training, we offer participants both theoretical knowledge and concrete examples, so that they can apply the rules correctly and contribute to the efficient management of the money available to a public administration," said Diana Enachi.

Participants expressed a desire to deepen their understanding of procurement planning, emphasizing that both local and central authorities face increasing accountability to transparently justify public expenditures.

”In the Republic of Moldova, legislation is frequently updated, and we need to be informed about these changes. Any training is helpful to us, especially since public procurements are numerous, diverse, and each one has specific conditions for implementation. Even if we know some information too well, we need to repeat it, because repetition is the mother of all knowledge," says Valentina Pisarenco, mayor of the village of Cimișeni, Criuleni district.

"The training was a breath of fresh air among the multitude of materials that focus only on the very vast legislative part of the public procurement field. IDIS "Viitorul" experts know how to explain even the most complex concepts using simple and understandable language, while maintaining the attention of the participants. Another strong point of the training was networking; the opportunity to exchange experiences and debate different situations with all the participants created a very productive cooperation environment," said Denis Lungu, chief accountant at the Pererita City Hall in the Briceni district.

"The training gave me a clear picture of all the stages in the public procurement process. I understood better how the procedures should be planned and what responsibilities we have at each step to avoid errors and comply with the law," said Cristina Asaftei, a public procurement specialist at the Hâncești District Council.

"This is not the first time I have participated in the trainings organized by IDIS "Viitorul" and each time I have left with beneficial knowledge, which is of great help to me in my work. The practical exercises applied were very valuable", said Mariana Rusu, mayor of the village of Bolțun in the Nisporeni district.

”Through these trainings, we aimed to strengthen the knowledge and skills of those responsible for public procurement. Our goal is to provide practical tools and relevant examples, which will contribute to increasing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the use of public funds," said Carolina Ungureanu, deputy director of IDIS "Viitorul".

Previous trainings took place on August 12, August 26, and September 23.

The “Open Governance for Engaged Citizens” initiative is scheduled for implementation from April 2025 to January 2026. It aims to address essential governance challenges by promoting transparency and participatory decision-making at the local level. The project also endeavors to advance open data transparency concerning public procurement activities. Key activities include capacity development workshops for procurement officials, practical training sessions on open governance, and mentorship programs for local authorities.

Moreover, the project will feature public outreach initiatives such as informational sessions with students, dissemination of infographics, and informative materials designed to facilitate citizen access to public information and bolster active civic participation. Ultimately, the initiative supports the European integration path of the Republic of Moldova and strengthens sustainable reforms in open government matter.

This press release has been produced within the "Open governance for engaged citizens" project, implemented by the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives "Viitorul" (IDIS), with the support of the Open Government Partnership Europe (OGP EU) through the ”EU for Integrity Programme for the Eastern Partnership, funded by the European Union. The contents of this press release are the sole responsibility of IDIS "Viitorul" and do not necessarily reflect the views of OGP EU or the EU.”

Approximately 40 mayors, accountants, and public procurement specialists from the districts of Călărași, Ialoveni, Cahul, Fălești, Dubăsari, Strășeni, Briceni, Căușeni, Chișinău, as well as representatives from central authorities, were provided with intensive training on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, concerning the end-to-end public procurement process—from strategic planning to contract implementation. This capacity-building activity was organized within the scope of the “Open Governance for Engaged Citizens” project, implemented by IDIS “Viitorul” with the support of the European Open Government Partnership (OGP EU) through the “EU for Integrity” Program under the Eastern Partnership initiative, financed by the European Union.

“The public procurement process is inherently complex and critically important for the efficient operation of public institutions. Every phase—from needs assessment and planning to contract execution—must be conducted with utmost transparency, accuracy, and in strict compliance with applicable legislation. Well-managed procurement procedures directly contribute to sustainable community development,” emphasized Carolina Ungureanu, Deputy Director of IDIS “Viitorul.”

On August 12, IDIS “Viitorul” organized a comparable training session attended by approximately 40 officials, including mayors, accountants, and procurement specialists from districts such as Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Bălți, Cahul, Căușeni, Criuleni, Ialoveni, and Strășeni. These trainings are aimed at bolstering institutional capacity and enhancing the competencies of procurement officials and working group members to ensure that procurement processes are transparent, efficient, and fully compliant with legal standards. The curriculum covered fundamental procurement principles, legal requirements at each procedural stage, error and irregularity mitigation, as well as strategies for optimizing resource utilization and raising procurement quality standards.

Trainer Diana Enachi, a seasoned procurement expert at IDIS “Viitorul,” delineated critical aspects including the legal framework governing public procurement, procedural stages, thresholds, applicable modalities, preparation of tender documentation, electronic publication and execution of procurement procedures, contract award mechanisms, dispute resolution, and other pertinent elements. “Rigorous planning requires accurate identification of needs, confirmation of financial viability, and proper estimation of procurement value. The procurement process must guarantee transparency, foster fair competition, and maximize the efficient use of public funds. Effective contract monitoring further ensures that deliverables—goods, services, or works—align with initial expectations. From strategic planning through to contract completion, procurement must be meticulously managed to deliver the intended community outcomes,” explained Enachi.

Participants expressed a desire to deepen their understanding of procurement planning, emphasizing that both local and central authorities face increasing accountability to transparently justify public expenditures.

“It was an extremely beneficial seminar, as we addressed numerous procedural intricacies that previously lacked clarity. Engaging in knowledge exchange fosters the development of practical solutions and enhances our collective capacity to resolve challenges,” stated Irina Braga, Public Procurement Specialist at Tohatin City Hall, Chișinău.

“I am a novice in accounting, and this seminar was highly valuable for me. Public procurement procedures appear complex; however, I am confident that the knowledge gained will be instrumental in my practical work. We currently have several ongoing procurement procedures at our municipality, and I am optimistic that they will proceed smoothly with these new insights,” said Natalia Zgherea, Chief Accountant at Văleni City Hall, Cahul.

“I have reinforced my understanding of the public procurement framework. While I possessed some knowledge previously, I lacked confidence in my understanding of certain processes. Now, I am assured that I am performing correctly, and the procurement activities I oversee will be more effective,” noted Ana Căpățână, a procurement specialist at Hârbovăț City Hall, Anenii Noi district.

“Participation in such seminars motivates us to operate with greater transparency, fostering more efficient use of public resources and enabling significant budgetary savings. Last year, the Călărași District Council saved over 5 million lei through exemplary procurement practices; this year, an additional 2 million lei was conserved via diligent resource management,” affirmed Ion Revenco, Vice President of Călărași District.

The “Open Governance for Engaged Citizens” initiative is scheduled for implementation from April 2025 to January 2026. It aims to address essential governance challenges by promoting transparency and participatory decision-making at the local level. The project also endeavors to advance open data transparency concerning public procurement activities. Key activities include capacity development workshops for procurement officials, practical training sessions on open governance, and mentorship programs for local authorities.

Moreover, the project will feature public outreach initiatives such as informational sessions with students, dissemination of infographics, and informative materials designed to facilitate citizen access to public information and bolster active civic participation. Ultimately, the initiative supports the European integration path of the Republic of Moldova and strengthens sustainable reforms in open government matter.

This press release has been produced within the "Open governance for engaged citizens" project, implemented by the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives "Viitorul" (IDIS), with the support of the Open Government Partnership Europe (OGP EU) through the ”EU for Integrity Programme for the Eastern Partnership, funded by the European Union. The contents of this press release are the sole responsibility of IDIS "Viitorul" and do not necessarily reflect the views of OGP EU or the EU.”

The Institute for Development and Social Initiatives "Viitorul" (IDIS) organized a training session on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 focused on the public procurement process, from planning to contract implementation, for central and local public authorities at levels I and II. The training was conducted within the framework of the project "Open governance for engaged citizens," implemented by IDIS „Viitorul” with the support of the Open Government Partnership Europe (OGP EU) through the "EU for Integrity" Program in the Eastern Partnership, funded by the European Union (EU).

The session was attended by nearly 40 mayors, accountants, and public procurement specialists from the districts of Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Bălți, Cahul, Căușeni, Criuleni, Ialoveni, Strășeni, and other. The objective of the training was to strengthen the capacities of public authorities and improve the skills of procurement specialists and members of procurement working groups to ensure a transparent, efficient procurement process in full compliance with legal requirements.

The training aimed to promote understanding of the fundamental principles of public procurement; ensure compliance with legal requirements at every stage of the procurement cycle; prevent errors and irregularities in the procurement process; and improve the quality and efficiency of public resource.

"Since 2015, IDIS 'Viitorul' has been actively and consistently involved in the field of public procurement, becoming a trusted partner in promoting transparency and efficiency in this sector. During these ten years, we have contributed to the modernization of procurement processes in the country, supporting both the authorities and civil society by strengthening monitoring capacities and engaging directly in key stages of the reforms. The field of public procurement, which is highly complex and highly regulated, requires vigilance and expertise, and our mission has been and remains to support a fair, transparent, and results-oriented system," said Carolina Ungureanu, deputy director of IDIS "Viitorul".

"IDIS "Viitorul" focuses on monitoring procurement processes, building the capacity of contracting authorities, local and central authorities, including economic operators, but also others stakeholders seeking to improve their knowledge in the field of public procurement. Today's training is an example of this. We also monitor procurement policies, follow any changes, adjustments, amendments to the legal framework, the development of new policies, and provide recommendations and proposals for improvement," said Diana Enachi.

The trainer was Diana Enachi, public procurement expert at IDIS “Viitorul”, who addressed the legal framework governing public procurement, the stages of the procurement process, thresholds and procedures, tender documentation, the publication of procurements in the electronic system, contract award procedures, remedies, etc.

The participants attended the training to learn about the most common mistakes made by public administrations and contracting authorities during the implementation of procurement procedures, in order to avoid them in the future, as well as ways to prevent certain complaints lodged by economic operators.

"Unfortunately, I don't have a public procurement specialist in the city hall, which is why I need to attend trainings myself and learn how to make correct public procurements, because in the end, all the full responsibility lies with me, as I sign the procedure as a responsible mayor. We also have the new law, about which we need to learn a great deal, so that we do not make mistakes, but instead become correct and efficient" says Tatiana Gălățeanu, mayor of Giurgiulești village, Cahul district.

"This training was very necessary for me as a mayor, as well as for public procurement specialists, to learn about the latest developments in the field of public procurement. The legislation in this area is flexible and changes frequently, and we must stay informed about all legislative amendments and new requirements so that we can apply them more effectively in practice”, said Marcel Bobeica, mayor of Gangura commune, Ialoveni district.

"Such seminars are useful even for authorities with extensive experience, because the situations faced by each authority are different, but they can also be similar, and we learn how to proceed. We can learn from each other's practice and experience," said Valentina Grițai, chief specialist of the Public Procurement Section of the Balți City Hall.

“We are interested in learning about the new aspects in the field of public procurement, the challenges encountered in procurement procedures from the practice of other authorities, and the mechanisms for resolving such issues, in case we face similar situations,” said Elena Lupan, chief specialist of the public procurement section of the Criuleni District Council.

The "Open governance for engaged citizens" project is implemented from April 2025 to January 2026. The initiative addresses key challenges in ensuring good governance, aiming to enhance transparency and the principle of co-creation in local decision-making processes. At the same time, the project aims to contribute to improving transparency and access to open data regarding public authority procurement. The planned activities aim to strengthen the capacities of civil servants responsible for carrying out public procurement, provide practical workshops dedicated to open governance, and provide mentoring for local public authorities.

The project will include public lessons with students, as well as an information campaign that distributes infographics and materials to help citizens access public information and actively participate in the decision-making process. The project aims to contribute to increasing transparency, civic trust, and accountability of public institutions in the Republic of Moldova. The initiative also supports the European integration path of the Republic of Moldova and consolidates sustainable reforms in the field of open governance.

This press release has been produced within the "Open governance for engaged citizens" project, implemented by the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives "Viitorul" (IDIS), with the support of the Open Government Partnership Europe (OGP EU) through the ”EU for Integrity Programme for the Eastern Partnership, funded by the European Union. The contents of this press release are the sole responsibility of IDIS "Viitorul" and do not necessarily reflect the views of OGP EU or the EU.”

The concept on how to plan public procurement contracts in the Republic of Moldova was discussed on Tuesday, June 03, 2025, by the members of the National Platform for Public Procurement (PNAP) and the Coalition for Monitoring Public Procurement in a new working session. At the event, the Ministry of Finance presented the concept of a new regulation on public procurement planning in the Republic of Moldova. IDIS "Viitorul" experts presented an analytical note with the analysis of current policies; legislative shortcomings; violations identified at the planning stage by non-governmental organizations, members of the monitoring coalition.

The authors of the note made recommendations for planning that is simple and efficient for public authorities on the one hand, and transparent and open for civil society and the general public on the other. NAPAP and Coalition members presented their vision of the current state of the planning stage in public procurement and offered recommendations for improving the vision proposed by the Ministry of Finance.

The event was organized by the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and in collaboration with the US Partnership for Transparency (PTF). The need and importance of addressing the planning stage of public procurement has emerged in the context of the increasingly frequent gaps and inconsistencies in the planning rules and mechanisms provided in the legislation versus the planning process within the authorities and the electronic procurement system.  

Ana Luca, deputy secretary-general of the Ministry of Finance, said at the opening of the meeting that procurement planning is the first step in the conduct of public procurement, but it is treated superficially. According to Ms. Luca, the new concept is intended to ensure a higher degree of transparency in public procurement procedures, proposes a limit on the number of possibilities to amend procurement plans, makes it obligatory to report on the implementation of plans, sets a set of criteria for when procurement plans can be amended, and which criteria should be taken into account when drawing up procurement plans.

"Inefficient or superficial planning leads to the postponement or even cancellation of a public procurement procedure. We considered it appropriate to revise the 2016 regulation on public procurement, both in order to align with the best practices of the European Union (EU) and to remove those shortcomings identified at national level following the examination of reports by state institutions and civil society," said Ana Luca.

Emilia Stiharu, consultant at the Public Procurement Department of the Ministry of Finance, presented the concept of the new regulation on the planning of public procurement, as well as the analysis of the most common deviations encountered at the planning stage of procurement contracts. The consultant noted that the new regulation comes to bring more clarity, coherence and efficiency in the process of planning public procurement in the Republic of Moldova, in order to ensure the efficient use of public money and meet the needs of citizens, as well as to ensure the proper functionality of the authorities, no matter what is being procured: goods, services or works and no matter in what areas.

According to Emiliei Stiharu, among the most frequent deviations from the legal provisions are: non-planning of public procurement, unjustified division, which affects the equal treatment of economic operators. Also, it was mentioned the non-correlation of procurement plans with the entity's budget. Procedures are planned without financial coverage, which creates major risks in guaranteeing payment for goods, services or contracted works.

Another constant misconduct is the failure to publish the procurement plan on the contracting authority's website, which limits access to information for economic operators. Consequently, competition is reduced and the procurement process becomes less competitive. The failure to follow the procurement plan also leads to delays in the implementation of contracts. Thus, procurement procedures are launched either late, in haste or with errors, due to unskilled staff, incorrect estimates or lack of a real needs assessment. Procurement is often launched at the last moment, just to spend the allocated funds before the end of the budget year.

"Poor implementation affects the whole procurement process and generates major risks. The new regulation reinforces the importance of rigorous planning based on clear objectives aligned with institutional goals. Although the regulatory framework sets clear conditions for the planning of procurement procedures, in practice there are still semi-definitive problems at this stage. The current provisions are too general and their application becomes impossible to monitor," said Emilia Stiharu.

Carolina Ungureanu, deputy director of IDIS "Viitorul", project manager, noted that the institution she represents keeps the pulse of all changes at the national level, including the reports of control institutions and international organizations on public procurement, including with reference to the Republic of Moldova. According to Ms. Ungureanu, the stage of planning public procurement contracts is treated superficially, often neglected, so new rules are needed to avoid shortcomings, vulnerabilities and risks in the future, but also to have transparent, efficient and competitive procurement. 

"Some reports by civil society show that there is a need for more strategic, coherent and rigorous planning of public procurement in line with budgetary priorities. Insufficient use of data and market analysis in the procurement planning process leads to inaccurate estimates and the launching of procedures with an increased risk of failure. Other reports have concluded that the frequent modification of procurement plans with unclear explanations leads to inefficient use of public money and creates suspicions that procurement is being conducted in favor of certain economic operators. There is a need to transform the planning process into a participatory, digitized and professional process", said Carolina Ungureanu.

Diana Enachi, public procurement expert at IDIS "Viitorul", presented the recommendations of IDIS "Viitorul" experts for the concept of the new regulation on the planning of public procurement contracts. According to Diana Enachi, over the years, in collaboration with contracting authorities, several shortcomings have been identified, both legislative and technical, administrative, transparency, etc. Although, says Diana Enachi, most people realize that rigorous, correct and adequate planning prevents a number of risks in the procurement process, such as the splitting of procurement procedures, lack of bids, cancellation of procurement procedures, procuring contracts, disputes, etc., yet it is not given the necessary attention and importance.

"The note includes a series of recommendations that we have structured into three categories: legislative, technical/administrative and, last but not least, digitization and access to open data in procurement. In the legislative chapter, it is necessary to eliminate inconsistencies between the primary and secondary legal framework, as well as unnecessary rules that do not add any value to the planning and award of the procurement contract. On the technical aspects, we have advocated and continue to advocate clear and simple processes for public authorities to eliminate unnecessary or duplicative bureaucratic procedures. And on digitization and access to open data, it is essential that planning is fully digitized and part of the e-procurement system. We recommend excluding procurement plans published on the thousands of public authorities' websites and in formats that do not provide access to open data. And digitization of the process is the solution that will help to exclude these shortcomings," said Diana Enachi.

The members of PNAP and of the Coalition came up with a series of recommendations, which will be integrated in the note with proposals and will be sent, together with those of IDIS "Viitorul" experts, to the Ministry of Finance to be discussed at the stage of drafting the new regulation on the planning of public procurement procedures.

Natalia Postolache, representative of the Public Procurement Agency, mentioned the importance of a single electronic system that could solve many of the problems mentioned. She recommended that the authorities carry out market analysis. In  her opinion, inadequate market analysis generates losses.  

Alexandru Crigan, president of AO Localinvest, said that the procurement plans are practically the only instruments of transparency of the authorities towards the citizens, because on their pages there is no information about public procurement and there is no liability or sanctions for not publishing them on the website.

Olga Pisarenco, head of the Public Procurement Directorate of the National Bank of Moldova, said that the current legislation is not perfect, but not so bad either and expressed hope that things will not be complicated, but simplified. 

The new regulation would be put into practice from January 1, 2026, and all procurement plans would have to be made on the basis of the new public procurement regulation.

The Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", in collaboration with the US-based Partnership for Transparency (PTF), launched in December 2023 the National Public Procurement Platform (NPPP), within the framework of the project "Strengthening Integrity in Public Procurement". PNAP is a national discussion forum, a permanent communication and dialog mechanism for all actors in the public procurement sector - policy, oversight, regulatory, contracting authorities/entities, economic operators and civil society representatives. Members PNAP members represent authorities and organizations interested in the functioning and sustainability of the national public procurement system.

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The project "Strengthening Integrity in Public Procurement" was implemented by the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", in partnership with the Partnership for Transparency (USA). The project aimed to support public procurement reforms in Moldova that will increase transparency and fairness in public procurement by empowering citizens to hold relevant institutions accountable.

IDIS "Viitorul" is an independent think tank founded in 1993 that combines social, political and economic research with strong advocacy components. The institution conducts applied monitoring research on several areas: economics, social policy, EU policies, regional development, as well as security and foreign policy risks.

The Partnership for Transparency is based in Washington DC and its mission is to promote innovative civil society-led approaches to improving governance, increasing transparency, promoting the rule of law and reducing corruption in developing and developing countries. Since 2000, PTF has supported over 250 projects aimed at promoting NGO involvement in decisions, processes and laws that require transparency and accountability in public procurement.

April 10, 2025: The members of the National Platform for Public Procurement (NPPP) met for the fifth working session, where they discussed the draft regulation on the certification of specialists in public procurement. The event was held in partnership with the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Moldova, in the framework of the project "Increasing the Integrity of Public Procurement", implemented by IDIS "Viitorul", in collaboration with the US-based Partnership for Transparency (PTF).

Ana Luca, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance, said at the opening of the meeting that the regulation on the certification of specialists in the field of public procurement has been eagerly anticipated by civil society. To meet these expectations, she added, it was advocated that the draft law should be presented to civil society before being approved by the government. The idea was to let all actors in the field of public procurement receive and present constructive and qualitative feedback to improve the regulation. "The recommendations coming from you will help us to update this regulation before submitting it for endorsement. Also by then we need to develop the Study Plan for certification. Our target is that this year, the draft regulation will be endorsed by the Government, and that it will enter into force on January 1, 2026. We plan to certify 250 specialists in 2026. It's an ambitious figure, but we need to train professionals to conduct fair public procurement," said Ana Luca.

Carolina Ungureanu, deputy director of IDIS "Viitorul", project manager, thanked the Ministry of Finance for its openness in cooperating with civil society to discuss important reforms in the field of public procurement. Carolina Ungureanu recalled that even before the start of the NPPP sessions IDIS "Viitorul" has collected data on a number of challenges faced by the procurement system, among which was the issue of professionalization and certification of specialists in the field. According to Carolina Ungureanu, the need for professionalization and certification system in public procurement IDIS "Viitorul" has been requested by civil society since the previous reform strategy of the sector, and it is additionally a topic that is included in the European Commission report, SIGMA report, and MAPS report, among others. "In a decentralized system, where there are many contracting authorities, this segment needs to be strengthened in order to have use of public money in the national interest, with respect for several principles, including transparency," said Carolina Ungureanu.

Hady Fink, Project Director of the Partnership for Transparency (PTF), on a working visit to the Republic of Moldova, emphasized that the idea of creating the NPPP was not part of the project from the beginning, but emerged along the way. In his opinion, the current stage of the platform demonstrates important achievements of the project and the implementation team. "The contribution of the Ministry of Finance is essential for the success of the platform and public procurement reforms in the Republic of Moldova," said Hady Fink.

During the event, Lilia Radul, senior consultant of the Public Procurement Directorate of the Ministry of Finance, presented the draft regulation on professionalization and certification in procurement, which aims to make the use of public funds more efficient through a well-trained network of specialists in the field, by: organizing the certification mechanism, the certification procedure, the work of the certification committee, the criteria for admission to the program, the evaluation, the issuance and withdrawal of certificates, etc. "Certification would be carried out in two stages: the training program and the knowledge assessment exam. The program is organized by the Training Center designated by the Ministry of Finance, which issues a certificate of participation in the program. The Ministry of Finance will approve the list of trainers of the program," said Lilia Radul.

IDIS "Viitorul" experts Diana Enachi and Viorel Pîrvan presented an analytical note that assesses the need for a professionalization and certification system in public procurement, the existing policies at the national and international level, the analysis of practices in Croatia, Austria, and Malta, the solutions for the certification system to be implemented in the Republic of Moldova to meet the needs of qualified specialists and professional expertise in procurement, as well as best European practices.

Viorel Pîrvan recalled the various attempts in recent years to set up a professionalization and certification mechanism in procurement, that were ultimately not successful. According to Viorel Pîrvan, studies show that the lack of professional skills in procurement is considered to be a bigger problem than corruption. Thus, 83% of wasted resources in public procurement are due to lack of professionalization and only 17% to corruption. In his opinion, professionalization and certification is necessary in order to provide the public procurement system with qualified staff, as well as to carry out efficient and effective procurement. "The benefits of adopting such a system will increase transparency, ethics, strengthen accountability, and promote innovation and sustainability in the public sector," Viorel Pîrvan said.

Diana Enachi underlined that the public procurement system in the Republic of Moldova operates in a decentralized framework, involving more than 2,800 contracting authorities that carry out public procurement procedures. However, the lack of qualified staff and of complete official data on the number and competences of public procurers hinders the efficient management of this system.  In terms of European best practice, Croatia, for example, has introduced certification in public procurement with European integration. The training program for certification includes a 50-hour course, followed by a certificate valid for three years, which needs to be renewed through additional courses. The results are remarkable: more than 5,000 certified purchasers, of whom about 35 are highly professional and highly reputed experts whose services are in demand by the authorities.

In terms of solutions for the implementation of an effective certification system, the following were listed: establishing the set of competences for procurement specialists, following the ProcurCompEU European Competence Framework, official recognition of the profession of procurement specialist, setting up a working group, including on the NPPP platform, to develop the certification mechanism, including a civil society representative in the certification commission, creating a public register of certified specialists, and linking procurement certification with the system of recruitment, evaluation and promotion in the public sector, among others.

During the meeting, the members of the NPPP came up with a number of recommendations, which are to be integrated into a note with proposals. NPPP members recommended, among other things, to liberalize the training process by accrediting several educational institutions or training centers that will meet the required conditions. Also, ensuring the transparency of the list of questions for the certification exam, the involvement of civil society in the composition of the certification committee, dropping the requirement to demonstrate professional experience in order to be certified, and setting up a mechanism for validation/recognition of international certifications in procurement.

The Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", in collaboration with the US-based Partnership for Transparency (PTF), launched the National Platform for Public Procurement (NPPP) in December 2023 within the framework of the project "Increasing the Integrity of Public Procurement". The NPPP is a national discussion forum, serving as a permanent communication and dialogue mechanism for all actors in the public procurement sector: policy, oversight, regulatory, contracting authorities/entities, economic operators, and civil society representatives. NPPP members represent public authorities and civil society organizations interested in the functioning and sustainability of the national public procurement system.

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The project Increasing the Integrity of Public Procurement is implemented by the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) Viitorul, in partnership with the American organization Partnership for Transparency. The project aims to support public procurement reforms in Moldova that will increase transparency and fairness in public procurement by empowering citizens to hold relevant institutions accountable.

IDIS “Viitorul” is an independent think tank established in 1993 that combines social, political and economic research with strong advocacy components. The institution conducts applied monitoring research in several areas: economics, social policy, EU policies, regional development, and security and foreign policy risks.

Partnership for Transparency (PTF) is based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to promote innovative civil society-led approaches to improving governance, increasing transparency, promoting the rule of law, and reducing corruption in developing and emerging countries. Since 2000, PTF has supported over 250 projects aimed at promoting NGO involvement in decisions, processes, and laws that enforce transparency and accountability in public procurement.

The members of the National Platform for Public Procurement (NPPP) met in the fourth working session, on Thursday, January 30, 2025, dedicated to the presentation and discussion of the provisions of the draft of the new public procurement law, which was published for public consultation by the Ministry of Finance in December 2024. The need to develop the new law emerged together with the status of a candidate country for accession to the European Union (EU), as the Republic of Moldova undertook to align the national legislation with the acquis Communautaire, which implies the gradual integration of European norms.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Finance presented the draft of the new law and the main changes compared to the current legal framework. The IDIS experts, Diana Enachi and Viorel Pîrvan, presented an analytical note on the provisions of the draft of the new law, along with comments and recommendations for their improvement. Olga Pisarenco, head of the procurement and contract management department of the National Bank of Moldova, also made a presentation on the new law. The NPPP members commented on the new provisions, submitting recommendations.

Carolina Ungureanu, deputy director of IDIS "Viitorul", stated at the opening of the meeting that the Ministry of Finance is a key actor of NPPP, which requested the involvement of NPPP members in the consultation of the draft of the new law on public procurement. "We have a document that promises to facilitate the activity of contracting authorities, economic operators, but also civil society, regarding public procurement procedures. We want to analyze what we can propose to improve the draft of the new law, which has been published for consultation. We thought that it would be good for as many people as possible to propose this aspect," said Carolina Ungureanu.

Ana Luca, deputy general secretary of the Ministry of Finance, mentioned that for the institution she represents, any feedback is important for improving the draft of the new law. ”We are committed to fully align the national legislation to the EU acquis, in what concerns Chapter V – Public Procurement. These commitments can be found in the national accession plan, where it is specified that in 2027 the Republic of Moldova must become aligned to the EU regulations and directives in the field of public procurement. This project will be submitted, necessarily, to the EU in order to receive approval from the partners as well", mentioned Ana Luca.

According to Sergiu Căinăreanu, head of the Public Procurement Directorate within the Ministry of Finance, who presented the provisions of the draft of the new public procurement law, the main purpose of the document is to increase the level of transparency and efficiency of the public procurement process, but also the integrity in the use of public funds. "The draft of the new law regulates the scope, existing exceptions, general principles, procedures, specific tools and techniques, procedural and transparency requirements, the method of selecting participants and awarding contracts, the attributes of relevant institutions, etc.," said Sergiu Căinăreanu.

IDIS "Viitorul" experts, Diana Enachi and Viorel Pîrvan, developed an analytical note on the draft of the new law on public procurement.

According to Diana Enachi, the new document contains several clarifications of the rules that are currently deficient, as well as provisions that help improve the procurement process. Although, on some aspects, there are different views on some provisions of the new law, even contradicotry views, the project coordinator at IDIS "Viitorul", stated that the document must be discussed and analyzed with all actors in the field to have a law that ensures a transparent and efficient procurement process. "We have several proposals to avoid vague wording, which generates discretion, abusive interpretations, and risks in implementing the law. We have proposals aimed at value thresholds, allocation, rules to avoid conflicts of interest, award criteria, a new guarantee for the offer, additional agreements to increase the procurement contracts, etc.", stated Diana Enachi.

Viorel Pîrvan, a legal expert, stated that the text of the law is difficult to understand even by specialists in the field and doubted that the document would be understood by other members of society. In his opinion, the transposition of the EU norms into the national legislation does not mean that the provisions of the directives are copied, which must be adapted and adjusted to the realities of the Republic of Moldova.

Olga Pisarenco, head of the procurement and contract management department of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM), specified that the new law is much clearer in some respects, some changes are significant on several key aspects, but there are also challenges that need to be solved. "These provisions remain to be applied in practice, we must be careful not to exceed the legal powers," said Olga Pisarenco.

Mariana Kalughin, a representative of Transparency International Moldova, specified the fact that big laws everywhere represent a risk of abuse by their very volume, which makes them less transparent. However, the investigative journalist appreciated the efforts of the authorities to draft a new law, which is much better than the previous one.

During the meeting, NPPP members developed a series of recommendations, which were integrated into a note with proposals.

The Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul" launched, in December 2023, the National Platform for Public Procurement (NPPP), a national discussion forum, a permanent mechanism for communication and dialogue between actors in the public procurement sector - authorities responsible for policies, control, regulation, contracting authorities/entities, economic operators and representatives of civil society. NPPP members represent authorities and organizations interested in the operation and viability of the national public procurement system.

The members of the Public Procurement Monitoring Coalition met on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in its meeting No. 7 which was dedicated to the discussion of the draft of the new Public Procurement Law, which was published for consultation by the Ministry of Finance in December 2024. In the context in which it obtained the status of a candidate country for EU accession, the Republic of Moldova undertook to align its national legislation with the Community acquis, which implies the gradual integration of European norms.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Finance presented the draft of the new law and the main changes compared to the current legal framework. The IDIS experts presented an analytical note on the provisions of the draft of the new law, with the formulation of comments and recommendations for improvement, while the members of the Coalition presented their experience regarding the implementation of the current legislation, the challenges they face in the process of applying the law, but they did and recommendations.

Carolina Ungureanu, deputy director of IDIS "Viitorul", stated at the opening of the meeting that the field of public procurement has been in the sights of IDIS "Viitorul" for several years, especially the training and capacity building of civil society to monitor public procurement procedures. IDIS is also focused on the creation of procurement monitoring tools, such as the Red Flags Guide in Public Procurement, to facilitate the activity of organizations monitoring procurement procedures, of contracting authorities, to be able to spot potential illegalities. Carolina Ungureanu also emphasized that IDIS has launched communication platforms between different actors in the public procurement sector. "The Republic of Moldova is committed to the alignment of national legislation with European directives, and one of the requirements is to have a new procurement law and not amendments to Law 131, to be fully consistent with the community acquis", said Carolina Ungureanu.

Ana Luca, deputy secretary general of the Ministry of Finance, welcomed the receptivity of civil society to participate in the presentation of the draft of the new law on public procurement. "Through this draft law, we aimed to ensure the transposition of three normative acts to the EU acquis. This project, which is currently subject to public consultations, is proposed to be adopted by the Parliament in June-July. This is the first presentation session for actors involved in the public procurement process. We propose to have a series of such sessions, to have more reactions, comments, and proposals, to improve, develop, and adjust the draft of the new law. The law should enter into force on January 1, 2027, as we are in discussions with the World Bank to develop a single e-procurement system, which would ensure the full application of the draft of the new law. The currently existing e-procurement platform will no longer be functional", said Ana Luca.

Sergiu Căinăreanu, head of the Public Procurement Directorate, Ministry of Finance, presented the provisions of the draft of the new public procurement law, noting that the option of drafting a new normative act was adopted because an amendment to Law No. 131 was impossible to achieve, the adjustments were to be many, extensive, substantial and different from the current project. "This new law has several objectives. The basic one is alignment with European standards. Then we have the transparency, efficiency, and fairness of using public money. Some shortcomings, that exist in current legislation have been excluded. Before implementing this new law, several systems must be put in place, including that of professionalization. Until the law enters into force, we must make sure that all the actors involved are prepared to work according to this new law, which is not easy at all", said Sergiu Căinăreanu.

Diana Enachi, project coordinator at IDIS "Viitorul", presented an analytical note on the draft of the new law on public procurement, which she elaborated together with the legal expert Viorel Pîrvan. According to the authors, the draft of the new law contains several clarifications of the currently deficient rules and provisions that should improve the procurement process. However, in some aspects, there are different maybe even opposite views, which makes it necessary to discuss and analyze them with all actors to have a law that ensures a transparent and efficient procurement process.

"First of all, it should be emphasized that in the process of the drafting and of public consultation of the project, the provisions of the Law regarding transparency in the decision-making process were mostly respected. Regarding the content, we have several proposals to avoid vague formulations, which generate discretion, abusive interpretations, and, respectively, risks in the implementation of the law. At the same time, we formulated proposals regarding the small value procurement thresholds, clear rules to avoid conflicts of interest, the award criteria, a new guarantee for the offer, and additional agreements to increase the procurement contracts, among others", stated Diana Enachi.

The expert of the NGO "Implicare Plus", Valeriu Ciorba", said that, currently, the contravention liability mechanism related to the field of public procurement is non-functional. It is noted that the normative deficiencies and the lack of the mechanism of bringing contravention liability in the public procurement process are risk factors that lead to the non-application of contravention coercion measures in public procurement and the generation of risks of fraud and corruption.

The members of the Public Procurement Monitoring Coalition formulated a series of recommendations on the draft of the new law, mainly intended to support transparency, the responsibility of the authorities in the public procurement process, and a public procurement process that ensures adequate value for public money. All recommendations will be analyzed and integrated into the Note with proposals and will be forwarded to the Ministry of Finance in the public consultation process.

The Public Procurement Monitoring Coalition was created at the initiative of the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul" and aims to support reforms in the field of public procurement in the Republic of Moldova. The Coalition includes over 20 civil society organizations, investigative journalists, experts, and independent monitors from the Republic of Moldova.