PROJECT TITLE:

Good governance: stronger public procurement and policy-making

OVERALL OBJECTIVE:

The overall objective of the Action is to contribute to changing the way society views the fight against corruption, rule of law, human rights, political process, gender inclusion and social development.

LOCATION:

Kosovo

SECTOR:

Good Governance & Transparency

DURATION:

Start Date: 1st of January 2022 End Date: 31st of December 2022

VALUE:

Total cost of the project € 108,078.80; EU contribution € 60,000.00

PROJECT PURPOSES:

• SO1: Contribute to reframing the cultural environment and political identity to change societal values towards rule of law, corruption, gender and ethnic discrimination; • SO2: Promoting collective deliberation to reach a consensus on national standards in the processes against corruption and other forms of societal abuse and rights violations; • SO3: Contribute to breaking the cycle of reciprocity and moral obligation within closed networks, which is prone to lead to corruption and to strengthening the citizen’s participation and the accountability of elected officials towards their voters.

BENEFICIARIES:

Five (5) target municipalities (Prishtinë/ Priština, Prizren/Prizren, Pejë/ Peć, Gjakovë/Ðakovica and Gjilan/Gnjilane) • Central government • Procurement Review Body (PRB) • Public Procurement Regulatory Commission (PPRC) • The Assembly and its Committee on Health, Committee on Budget Labor and Transfers, and Committee for Oversight of Public Finances • Citizens • Media

TARGET AREA:

Good governance, policy-making, public procurement, transparency and accountability

IMPLEMENTING AGENCY:

Democracy Plus (D+)

ACTIVITIES:

• Directly monitor, review and analyze around twenty (20) tenders carried out during 2022 at the municipal level; • Monitor and analyse the Special Service Agreement (SSA) contracts; • Compiling and publishing one monitoring report on the findings of the research on 20 tenders of 2022; • Compiling and publishing one monitoring report on the findings of the research on SAA contracts; • Issue four (4) fast reaction briefs to Government/Public Institutions responses to developments during the year; • Provide recommendations for at least six (6) primary and secondary pieces of legislation regarding central and local government, good governance, transparency and accountability; • Produce and publish one (1) “Cost of Corruption” animated video, highlighting the main findings of the entire action; • Hold around 30 media appearances through participation in televised debates or interviews for online, print and TV media outlets; • Organize around twenty (20) advocacy meetings to raise the identified issues with public institutions and other civil society organizations; • Publication of three investigative articles; • Design and publication of five infographics; • Provide one (1) internship program for students within two (2) Parliamentary committees; • Organize training sessions for the selected interns; • Research, draft and publish two (2) monitoring reports pertaining to two (2) laws for parliamentary committees.

RESULTS:

• Foster effective citizen participation in the policy processes in Kosovo resulting in enhanced accountability of elected leaders and policy makers; • Contribute to reframing the cultural environment and political identity to change societal values towards rule of law, corruption, gender and ethnic discrimination; • Promote collective deliberation to reach a consensus on national standards in the processes against corruption and other forms of societal abuse and rights violations; • Contribute to breaking the cycle of reciprocity and moral obligation within closed networks that is prone to lead to corruption and to strengthening citizen participation and the accountability of elected officials towards their voters; • Policy process becomes measurable and attributable following citizen participation enhancing the quality of the policy process; • Elected leaders and policy makers learn to discuss importance of the policies and laws; • Information campaigns held in order to reframe cultural environment and political identity to change societal values towards rule of law, corruption, gender and ethnic discrimination; • Social media as a mean to promote policy briefs and activities that engage citizens and make them contribute effectively to events with policy makers and elected officials.