Open Data Day 2020 mini-grant scheme has been launched!

We are happy to announce the launch of the mini-grant scheme for Open Data Day 2020.This scheme will provide small funds to support the organisation of open data-related events across the world on 7 March 2020. Hivos is among proud supporters of the mini grant scheme. Apply before 9 February!

Fight for justice after mine spill continues

Fight for justice after mine spill continues January 6, 2020 Grupo México’s New Threat: The fight of a community affected by a toxic mega-mine spill continues By Claudia Ocaranza, PODER Journalistic Coordinator Five years after the spill of 40,000 cubic meters of copper sulphate in 2014, the communities in Sonora, Mexico, are still fighting for […]

Opening up Makueni’s procurement systems

Opening up Makueni’s procurement systems December 19, 2019 On December 9 2019, Anti-Corruption Day, in Kenya one message was clear: the fight against corruption needs to be innovative because corruption is likewise becoming more inventive each year. The occasion was marked in Makueni County by leaders from across Kenya who gathered to celebrate strides made […]

Hivos re-affirms its commitment to Open Contracting in Africa

Hivos re-affirms its commitment to Open Contracting in Africa December 17, 2019 Blog by Tony Kirita, December 17, 2019 The last week of November 2019 marked a major convening for the Open Contracting movement in Africa. The Local Open Contracting Initiative (LOCI) was held for the first time on 26 November 2019 along the side lines of […]

On the state on media freedom in the Philippines

On the state on media freedom in the Philippines December 11, 2019 Red-tagging, intimidation vs. press: Duterte, state agents behind 69 cases Fraught still with attacks and threats - that is the sorry state of media freedom in the Philippines under the Duterte Administration. It highlights the unyielding reign of impunity, even as the nation […]

Public procurement requires public information

Public procurement requires public information December 9, 2019 Public procurement is supposed to provide for citizens’ needs, and therefore must be accountable to the public. Article 9 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption requires that all 183 state parties develop public procurement systems that are transparent, competitive, and objective in awarding contracts. Access to information […]

Fighting corruption through access to information

Fighting corruption through access to information December 9, 2019 Access to information is an essential tool in the fight against corruption. It increases accountability and transparency, and allows the identification and uncovering of corrupt practices. Information enables the public to participate in the scrutiny of government activities, and to have their rightful say in the development […]

Journalism in the Americas

Journalism in the Americas November 19, 2019 By Silvia Higuera. Original publication on the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas Lea en Español / Leia em Português Red PALTA is born to monitor the use of public money and public policies in Latin America In addition to being an essential product of every family’s shopping basket […]

Banks have a role to play in clean and open procurement

While the corruption chain in Kenya is intertwined with a narrative of individuals and cartels looting public money in major state institutions – one major financial industry player’s responsibility has only started to emerge: Banks.

Making Open Contracting a Norm

The Ministry of Public Service through the Civil Service College of Uganda started a partnership with Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) to incorporate an Open Contracting Module in the Public Procurement and Contract Management Course for Public Servants. 14 procurement officers were the first cohort of public officers to be trained in the module for two days from 1st – 2nd October 2019 at the College based in Jinja district.