Anti-corruption tools for analysing procurement in the social sector
Course Summary
A significant amount of funding allocated to ensure the social rights of citizens, provided by budgets at all levels, is distributed through the system of public procurement. In the same way, social institutions choose suppliers of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, contractors for the construction and renovation of social facilities, and for the improvement of settlements. Social institutions are supplied with equipment, furniture and office technology. They are equipped with information systems, allowing citizens to make doctor’s appointments, obtain certificates and process necessary documents. It is evident that the quality of goods for the provision of social services, the technical conditions of schools, hospitals and clinics, as well as the availability of online services, largely depends on how government customers select suppliers and contractors and the executives of these services. The effectiveness of these selection procedures facilitates a more rational and economical use of budget funds.
At the same time, an analysis of law enforcement practices shows that many violations of public procurement procedures are related to purchases for the social sector. Corruption in procurement affects the quality of social services and the lives of each of us.
As part of the course, participants will become familiar with practical tools for conducting investigations and implementing anti-corruption projects within a sector that is characterised by its high corruption risk in all countries – public and municipal procurement. We will help you understand what requirements Russian legislation imposes on public procurement for goods, works and services in the social sector, and how to ensure compliance with these requirements, and how to bring perpetrators to justice in the case of violations. Participants will acquire the skills to use publicly available information resources for monitoring and analysing public procurement, as well as digital services that help identify signs of collusion in procurement for social needs. This course will broaden your understanding of the legal institutions within the system of anti-corruption regulation in the social sector.
The purpose of the course is to develop the necessary expertise for effective public oversight and conducting anti-corruption investigations related to the procurement of socially significant goods, works and services, as well as the provision of state and municipal property.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for civic activists, lawmakers, journalists, researchers, students and anyone interested in the legal regulation of public procurement and other aspects of government activities. The course assumes that participants have a basic understanding of the concepts and key principles of anti-corruption legislation, as well as an interest in a more in-depth study of approaches used to identify corruption risks in specific areas.
Within the course participants will:
- study anti-corruption provisions in public procurement legislation and competition law;
- learn how to analyse case law related to public procurement, antitrust regulation and assess the prospects of filing complaints with relevant authorities regarding corruption violations;
- gain skills in working with various information sources to monitor public procurement;
- develop an understanding of the signs of corruption violations and study the concept and practice of identifying and resolving conflicts of interest in public procurement;
- form an understanding of the challenges in detecting and preventing corruption violations in public procurement and real estate management;
- be able to identify effective strategies for appealing to law enforcement, regulatory, and supervisory authorities in the event of violations.
Course Format
Online classes are held once a week, lasting 1.5 hours. Practical sessions provide participants with the opportunity to access an information resource website from their own devices and perform simple search or analytical tasks online.