The Status of Open Contracting in the Construction Sector in Malawi Presented by Joe Ching’ani-MSG Chairperson, CoST Malawi Construction Sector Transparency Initiative, abbreviated CoST is an Open Contracting Program Global Governance Country specific Aimed at promoting & increasing Transparency and Accountability in publicly financed infrastructure projects Ultimate goal is to ensure value for money. Program was first Piloted in 2008 in 9 Countries before later being launched as a fully fledged global program in 2012.

CoST Countries Guatemala Honduras CoSta rica The Philippines Afghanistan Elsavador Panama Thailand Ukraine United Kingdom Ethiopia Tanzania Malawi Uganda Botswana

Key Features of CoST Assurance Disclosure Multi Stakeholder Group

Assurance Assurance is a process of subjecting contracts to a technical scrutiny by a well qualified and experienced expert , gathering, analyzing and verifying or validating all relevant Infrastructure data standards. Stakeholders need to be able to understand the disclosed information and to identify issues of interest or potential concern. CoST assurance Process helps to achieve this by interpreting the disclosed information and delivering key messages to the public

Disclosure The report compiled from such technical scrutiny are released into the public domain in a usable, simplified version for any non-technical person to read and easily interpret. Ie doing away with jargon. Here is where citizen centered advocacy comes into play.

Multi Stakeholder Group-MSG An essential feature of CoST is the multi stakeholder approach which brings together government, private industry, civil society and media to pursue a common goal. This is achieved with the establishment of a Multi Stakeholder Group comprising representatives of each stakeholder group. The MSG is responsible for providing leadership and setting policy and standards for the CoST Program. And the role of Civil Society is pivotal in this regard. You should see how a Capacitated media fraternity becomes vibrant and objective after they are taken through a training program on the Construction cycle.

Giving Space to the ordinary Citizen Case Study 1 Malawi’s Toll free SMS Innovation Giving Space to the ordinary Citizen

Follow up Mechanism & Continuous Engagement / Monitoring a subsystem of an e-procurement platform for easy access for citizens to data on as many infrastructure projects as possible on Water, Roads, housing. Energy contracts   Citizens will thus be empowered to demand accountability

Role of CSO’s, Private Sector & Media Policy Change Voice of the Voiceless Monitoring and holding Duty Bearers to account

Open Contracting through CoST Levels playing field Yields measurable and visible results Value for money as ultimate goal

Call to Member States Consider adopting Citizen Engagement in procurement & implementation matters Join the CoST Program Be part of Open Contracting Family

Thank You very Much for your attention The End Thank You very Much for your attention