What is CoST?

The Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST) is responsible for promoting transparency and accountability throughout the various stages of infrastructure and public works projects.

Currently, it operates in 19 countries across four continents, where it works directly with governments, civil society, and the construction industry to promote the dissemination, validation, and interpretation of data on infrastructure and public works projects.

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CoST was launched in the UK as a global initiative in 2012 with support from the World Bank and grew out of lessons learned from a three-year pilot program that tested the feasibility of a new transparency and accountability process in public infrastructure in eight countries.

CoST currently operates globally with members spread across 20 countries on four continents. Its members are from subnational and national governments and represent emerging and low-income economies, including five fragile and conflict-affected states.

In addition, it collaborates internationally with key organizations in the areas of transparency and anti-corruption to facilitate the global exchange of experiences and knowledge on transparency and accountability in public infrastructure. CoST is international partners include Article 19, the Open Contracting Partnership, Transparency International, the Open Government Partnership, and Hivos.

This initiative works with government, industry, and civil society to promote the dissemination, validation, and interpretation of infrastructure project data.

CoST has a track record of cost savings, legal and institutional reforms, and stakeholder capacity building. This makes the initiative ideally positioned to guide future efforts to increase transparency, accountability, and cost-effectiveness in the delivery of public infrastructure.

Within its structure, the International CoST Board is responsible for governing the initiative: its tasks include approving the strategy and budgets, establishing the principles and standards for participation, and admitting new countries to the CoST initiative. The Board appoints an International Secretary to provide administrative support for the international CoST program, assist countries interested in joining CoST, provide guidance and technical assistance to national programs, and administer international funds.

CoST represents better value for governments because it shows how public money is spent, identifies potential efficiency savings, and complements reforms in public financial management and infrastructure procurement processes, while also promoting and developing transparency.

CoST represents better value for communities because it ensures cost-efficient and higher-quality infrastructure delivery that can change lives. Communities gain access to jobs and markets through improved roads and streets, clean drinking water, education in well-built schools, or medical care in safe hospitals, among others.

This helps to inform and empower citizens, enabling them to hold decision-makers accountable. Informed citizens and responsive public institutions can lead the introduction of reforms that reduce mismanagement, inefficiency, corruption, and the public risk caused by poor infrastructure.

DISCLOSURE

This involves ensuring that information on the purpose, scope, costs, and implementation of infrastructure and public works projects is open and accessible to the public, disclosed in a timely manner through the disclosure platform.

ASSURANCE

This involves assessing the credibility of the disclosed information at two levels: - At the sector and procuring entity level, regarding the integrity and accuracy of the disclosed data and general performance characteristics. - At the project level, using a small random sample, highlighting issues that may be of concern to key stakeholders involved in the referenced projects.

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SOCIAL AUDIT

This involves working with stakeholders to promote the results of the monitoring process in order to bring key issues into the public domain. In this way, civil society, the media, and citizens can be aware of problems and demand accountability from decision-makers. The implementation of CoST in Jalisco aims to improve transparency in infrastructure processes through the open contracting standard, whose indicators have been adjusted by the members of the Multistakeholder Group to fit the processes and concepts used in the region (identification, preparation, procurement, implementation, and evaluation). Additionally, it seeks to build civil society is capacity to oversee and monitor public works published under the aforementioned standards.

Improve transparency and accountability in public infrastructure: CoST Jalisco focuses on ensuring that information on infrastructure projects is accessible to the public. This includes data on planning, procurement, construction, and financing. Increase the value of infrastructure investments: By promoting transparency and accountability, CoST aims to ensure that projects are executed more efficiently and effectively, maximizing benefits for society.

What is CoST? The Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST) is responsible for promoting transparency and accountability throughout the different stages of infrastructure and public works projects. It is currently active in 19 countries across four continents, working directly with government, civil society, and the construction industry to promote the disclosure, validation, and interpretation of data from infrastructure and public works projects.