Updating the iMonitor Reporting Tool for iMonitor 2.0

As iMonitor has moved into its second edition, the reporting template at the core of our civic monitoring model has been thoroughly revised to support a broader geographical scope, a stronger sectoral focus, and closer collaboration with public authorities. 

Building on the experience of iMonitor 1.0, the revised reporting template continues to combine data-driven risk assessment with on-the-ground monitoring by trained civic volunteers. It is accessible upon registration on monithon.eu. The template balances two core objectives: making the tool accessible to non-expert monitors, and ensuring that the resulting reports are useful for public authorities receiving them. 

What remains: the three-step monitoring structure

The overall logic of the reporting template remains the same and continues to guide monitors through a three-step monitoring cycle:

• Step 1 – Desk Analysis
  Monitors collect key information on the project or programme, the contract, and the supplier. Through integration with opentender.eu, basic contract details and integrity indicators are automatically imported once the monitor inserts the Opentender URL, and can then be checked and complemented with additional documentation.
• Step 2 – Contract Implementation
  Monitors assess whether what is written in the contract corresponds to what is happening on the ground. This includes site visits (where possible), interviews with relevant stakeholders, and checks on issues such as delays, substandard delivery, unjustified contract modifications or problematic subcontracting. The resulting monitoring report is reviewed by national NGO partners and finally submitted to the respective public authorities of each country. 
• Step 3 – Results and Impact
  Monitors document what happened after their report was submitted: whether the report was followed up on, how public authorities reacted, and whether new relationships with media, civil society or institutions emerged as a result of the monitoring. These insights feed into the project’s evaluation of impact.

What is new in iMonitor 2.0?

The revised template introduces several important innovations:

• Sector-specific focus on construction and environment-related contracts
  New sections and questions were developed with the support of sectoral experts to capture typical corruption and integrity risks in high-risk areas such as construction and climate-related projects. 
• Dynamic questions based on contract type
  The template now differentiates more clearly between supplies, services and works contracts. 
• “Connect-the-dots” summary for public authorities
  A new field invites monitors to provide a concise, factual abstract of their main findings at the end of Step 2.
• Improved user experience for monitors
  Based on feedback from iMonitor 1.0, the template’s navigation and answer options have been refined. 
• Stronger link to formal reporting channels
  The revised process clarifies how reports move from the Monithon platform to competent authorities. 

Supporting monitors across seven countries

The updated reporting template thus preserves the strengths of the original tool while equipping monitors and partner institutions for a more ambitious second phase of the project. By combining enhanced guidance, a clearer sectoral focus and stronger connections to law enforcement and oversight bodies, iMonitor 2.0 aims to generate timely, actionable information on public contract implementation – and to ensure that this information reaches those who can act on it.

To ensure that volunteers can work comfortably with the template, a video tutorial is available and guidance notes are available in English and in the national languages of participating countries.

Reporting template guidance note – EN CT ES IT RO AL BG FR PL

Go to Youtube for the Tutorial – Using the reporting tool