OSCE Presence concludes three-year project to strengthen capacities and increase transparency of public procurement system in Albania

Strengthening the capacities, increasing transparency and promoting good governance in the public procurement in Albania was the aim of a project run from the OSCE Presence from 1 September 2020 until 30 September 2023. The three-year project was financed by the governments of Italy, France and Slovakia.

In close co-operation with the Albanian Public Procurement Agency and the Albanian School of Public Administration, the Presence supported the drafting of a new comprehensive multi-module curriculum on public procurement. The document covered the legislative framework and various aspects of public procurement procedures, with an enhanced focus on integrity and risk management tools, which are essential for an efficient and effective use of public funds.

As part of the project, 19 experts participated in a 10-day training-of-trainers intensive capacity development programme. They are now part of the ASPA pool of trainers that will provide continues training to about 2,000 public procurement officials across the country. The first training for 120 public procurement officials was piloted from June to September 2023.

The Presence also partnered with Hertie School of Governance in Berlin and the Albanian Institute of Science to facilitate technical discussions and independent research to identify risks and prevent corruption in targeted public procurement sectors, providing relevant recommendations to the stakeholders to improve the operational and policy framework.

Additionally, with the active involvement of civil society, the project focused on increasing awareness on transparent procurement and need for effective anti-corruption measures. This was done through different fora, which promoted the idea of data transparency as a cornerstone for independent oversight.

The project concluded in September 2023 with a consultative meeting with the main stakeholders and beneficiaries. The participants discussed lessons learned during the project implementation and concrete suggestions and recommendations for the institutions on how to sustain the project results.

The OSCE Presence remains committed to support the Albanian institutions and civil society with technical assistance and expertise to advance the anti-corruption reform in the country and strengthen economic governance.