MP Ābrama criticizes lack of transparency on how state funding results are tracked

Latvian parliament member Skaidrīte Ābrama criticized the current state of transparency around government funding during an appearance on the TV24 program “Naudas cena” (“The Price of Money”). She argued that the public information currently available only shows which organizations received funding and in what amounts, without revealing what was actually accomplished with that money.

Ābrama said there is no database or mechanism that allows the public to track what organizations actually did with the funds they received, making it difficult to assess whether the money was spent effectively or what concrete results were achieved.

Comparison to procurement issues

She drew a parallel to previously identified problems in Latvia's public procurement system, pointing specifically to small-scale procurements, which she said often involve significant sums despite limited competition and weak oversight. Ābrama recalled that proposals for a unified database — one that would allow advance visibility into planned procurements — had earlier been developed together with the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Call to involve sector organizations

Ābrama said a similar approach should be applied to funding for non-governmental organizations, with the state more clearly defining what specific outcomes are expected from allocated funds. She expressed hope that NGOs and professional sector organizations would become more involved in decision-making, noting that ministries cannot always rely solely on politicians' judgment. She stressed the importance of input from independent industry experts in the decision-making process.