The particularities of public procurement of works were addressed at the first training of the Public Procurement Monitoring Coalition, which took place on Friday, December 6, 2024. This training was organized within the framework of the project "Increasing the Integrity of Public Procurement”, implemented by the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", in collaboration with the American organization Partnership for Transparency.

The trainer, Vadim Țurcan, university lecturer, Ph.D. engineer, and expert in public procurement, spoke to the participants about the provisions of the Urban Planning and Construction Code No. 434 of December 28, 2023, which will come into force on January 1, 2025. He also presented to the audience the online system reflecting the normative framework in construction, www.ednc.gov.md, as well as Moldovan construction regulations, practical codes of works, rules of calculating cost estimates for works (WinCmeta), rules for determining quality standards in construction, as well as common errors in the realization of construction works.

"Such trainings are essential in themselves to improve the efficiency of the procurement process. Public procurement of works is a complex area, with detailed legislation and formal procedures to follow. Together we learn how to correctly apply the legal and administrative procedures to organize and manage public works procurement, ensuring that it is efficient, transparent, and in line with national legislation," said Vadim Țurcan.

Carolina Ungureanu, project manager, deputy director of IDIS "Viitorul", stated at the opening of the meeting that the topic of the first training was chosen by the members of the Public Procurement Monitoring Coalition because they want to strengthen their capacities in the field of monitoring public procurement of works. "This is an area that requires a lot of attention, as questions frequently arise when a procedure for public procurement of works is being carried out. The monitors need to know how to interpret certain data and documents when trying to see if an authority has done the full calculation, if there are certain red flags in the procurement procedure, etc.," said Carolina Ungureanu.

A good part of the training seminar was centered on interactive sessions and working group activities. A number of case studies have been discussed. Simolaions have taken place of processes of evaluating tenders for works procurement, of checking the minutes of works execution, and of procedures to identify the most frequent mistakes. Even participants who are experienced in the field relaed to the procurement of works mentioned that these practical exercises were very useful and that in the future it will be much easier for them to monitor such procedures.

Alexandru Crigan, director of the LocalInvest Public Association from the Riscani district, said that he came to participate in the training to learn more about the field of public works procurement. "We have experience in monitoring public procurement. I participate in the meetings of the working group on public procurement and yet sometimes I have the impression that I don't know all the ins and outs of this field," said Alexandru Crigan.

Natalia Țurcan, a public procurement monitor, said that she has been working in the field of procurement of works for several years and that she knows the field well, but, as it is one that constantly provokes discussions and questions, there is always room to learn more.  

Valeriu Rusu, executive director of the Rezina Habitat Association, noted that the field of public works procurement is familiar to him, as he has monitored the procurement of works on the construction of the Rezina cement factory and of the Rezina Palace of Culture. "Works procurement is an interesting field. The works that are done must stand the test of time. These works in which public money is invested must be durable and sustainable," said Valeriu Rusu.

The Public Procurement Monitoring Coalition was created by the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", within the project "Increasing the Integrity of Public Procurement", implemented in collaboration with the American Organization Partnership for Transparency. The Coalition aims to support public procurement reforms in the Republic of Moldova. Over 20 civil society organizations, investigative journalists, experts and independent monitors from the Republic of Moldova are members of the Coalition. Several trainings will be organized for Coalition members, where trainings in the field of public procurement will be organized.

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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 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 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.