Moldovan experts launch open data portal monitoring public finance management

Chisinau, 21 January /MOLDPRES/- The Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul" launched an open data portal monitoring the budgets of Moldovan local public authorities. The launch was held during a conference today, while the assessment of a project meant to enhance the financial control over these authorities, was also carried out.

“The product borrowed from Slovakia’s experience, will allow a stricter control and a more thorough monitoring of the budget process. The project aims to enhance the financial responsibility of Moldovan local public authorities,” IDIS Viitorul’s deputy head, Liubomir Chiriac said.

The online portal with more than 140 000 data units and an interactive map, shows the transparency level of the public finance management in 898 settlements from 32 Moldovan districts. Some of the monitoring indicators are the income and spending share, registered debts, state loans and financial assets during 2012-2014. Subsequently, a report on the assessment of the authorities’ finance management will be worked out based on the information received from decision-makers and local public authorities.

Law expert, Viorel Pirvan said transparency was an efficient tool to combat corruption in the activity of local or central public authorities. According to him, transparency enhances the efficiency and credibility of public authorities. Moldova has the necessary framework to provide access to information of public interest and ensure the transparency of public authorities’ activity.

International reports show that Moldova ranks 46th out of 102 countries for the openness of its governmental data. At the same time, Moldova advanced by 21 positions on the Global Open Data Index, up to 22nd position. Experts approximate a 45-per-cent openness of the budget data in Moldova. “Despite Moldova’s success over the past two years, not all public authorities, in particular local ones, offer citizens access to public information, do not inform the society of their draft decisions, do not have a web-page, or having it, fail to public all the information”, Pirvan said.

The launch of the open data portal was held during the “Enhancing financial control over local public authorities in Moldova”, implemented by the INEKO Institute for Economic and Social Reforms, in partnership with the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) "Viitorul, with the financial support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and SlovakAid.

(Reporter V. Bercu, Editor M. Jantovan)