Fostering Transparency through e-Procurement: Lessons from Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine

Presentation

• Bogdana Depo, ReThink.CEE Fellow, German Marshall Fund of the United States, Ukraine

Commentary

• Eliza Niewiadomska, Senior Counsel, Legal Transition Programme, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Moderation

• Joerg Forbrig, Director for Central and Eastern Europe, German Marshall Fund of the United States

Corruption remains one of the principal challenges for Eastern Europe. It has hampered the reform process towards democracy and market economy, undercut citizen confidence in state institutions and business entities, and incurred a massive waste of scarce financial resources. One central conduit for large-scale corruption has long been state procurement—the purchase of goods and services by governments.

Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine have, over the last years, made considerable headway in revamping state procurement and in establishing more transparent and cost-efficient systems. While each state has followed a unique path in implementing new procurement mechanisms, they share a common philosophy and principles. Most importantly, all three countries seized the opportunities brought by digital technologies.

How can e-procurement and e-governance broadly strengthen democratic and market reforms in the Eastern Partnership countries? How did Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine succeed in introducing e-procurement? What role did civil society, the business community, and international partners play? What are the effects of e-procurement on individual economies? How did e-procurement bolster public confidence in state institutions? And what are the lessons that can be drawn for other countries in Eastern Europe?

The German Marshall Fund of the United States is pleased to invite you to the presentation and discussion of a new policy paper that examines these key questions. This event is part of the ReThink.CEE Fellowship, which was established by the German Marshall Fund of the United States in 2018. As Central and Eastern Europe faces mounting challenges to its democracy, security, and prosperity, the ReThink.CEE Fellowship supports next-generation thinkers and activists to conduct original policy research, to offer fresh thinking and perspectives, and to shape effective responses by the transatlantic community.

If you have any questions, please contact Alevtina Snihir at [email protected].