The Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul", in partnership with the Partnership for Transparency Fund (PTF), launched on October 7 a new capacity building program in the field of public procurement monitoring. The training program is part of the project "Increasing the integrity in public procurement”. The project aims to support procurement reforms in Moldova that will increase the transparency and fairness of public procurement by empowering citizens specifically civil society representatives and investigative journalists to hold relevant institutions accountable.
The program includes 12 training modules, each of two training sessions, which will take place between October 7 - December 17, 2021 and is intended for the 40 journalists, representatives of civil society organizations, but also economic operators, selected in an open and transparent call. The training program aims to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) and journalists in monitoring public procurement.
The topics of the capacity building program will address the legal and institutional framework of public procurement, sectoral procurement, the appeal procedure, the process of electronic public procurement, access to information and open data analysis, as well as tools for identifying and analyzing corruption risks. Also, a series of case studies will be developed and presented to the participants in the training program, showing the specific problems and risks identified in public procurement. Thus, representatives of civil society organizations, monitors and journalists will be trained on post-monitoring actions, including reporting the risks of fraud and corruption, communication actions and advocacy of monitoring results.
"The role of civil society is essential in overseeing transparency, how public money is spent and how public procurement is conducted. In this sense, the efficient monitoring of public procurement requires a good knowledge by the civil society of the functioning mechanism of the public procurement system, of the legal and institutional framework and of the entire procurement process", considers Carolina Ungureanu, deputy director of IDIS" Viitorul" and the Project Manager.
In her turn, Karin Millett, Director of the project, mentioned: "In order for CSOs to engage in responsible and effective monitoring of public procurement they need to be knowledgeable about the relevant legal and regulatory frameworks. They also need to be familiar with the types of abuses and irregularities to watch out for and be able to identify red flags that require further investigation and evaluation. Through lectures, case studies, and other hands-on activities, this training program aims to enhance the capacity of participants to engage in informed and responsible monitoring of public procurement".
Participants in the training program will also have the opportunity to apply for a grant program through which eligible organizations that will be selected on the basis of an open competition will receive support and expertise in the procurement monitoring process. Subsequently, the recommendations made by the representatives of the civil society after the procurement monitoring process will be sent to the decision makers in order to examine and take actions to improve the situation, thus making the authorities involved responsible. The expected result would be to achieve efficiency in the use of public money, minimize the risks of public authorities, and finally, quality public goods, works and services for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova.
For more information, contact the Press Officer of the project, Ana - Maria Veverița: ana.veverita@viitorul.org/veverita.maria@gmail.com or at the phone number (0 22) 221844.
……………
The project “Increasing the Integrity in Public Procurement” is implemented by Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul," in collaboration with Partnership for Transparency (PTF). It aims to support procurement reforms in Moldova that will increase transparency and fairness of public procurement through 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 solid advocacy components. The institution conducts applied monitoring research in several areas: economy, social policy, EU policies, regional development, but also security and foreign policy risks.
Based in Washington, DC, the Partnership for Transparency's (PTF) mission is to advance innovative civil society-led approaches to improve governance, increase transparency, promote the rule of law, and reduce corruption in developing and emerging countries.
