Today, CoST, the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative, celebrates the launch of CoST Ecuador’s open data platform, which follows the OC4IDS standard. This platform will be a valuable tool for Ecuador, where open data and clear information on the life cycle of public infrastructure projects are needed to promote transparency, counteract cost overruns to strengthen accountability and promote accessible information for citizens to ensure participation.

The development of the platform has been made possible thanks to the joint work of the CoST Ecuador Multi-Stakeholder Group, which includes the Transport and Public Works Ministry, Transparency Secretary of Quito (Quito Honesto),  Public Procurement Agency (SERCOP), Civil Engineers of Ecuador Association, Civil Engineers of Pichincha Province Association, Development and Citizen Foundation,TI Ecuador (FCD), National High Studies Institute (IAEN), Datalat Foundation and Vinicio Ayala Foundation (VAF) We are also thankful for the role of CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Government of the United Kingdom in the development of this portal.

The aim of the CoST tool is to make data on public works projects across the country available to the public, as well as to monitor and analyse the progress of these projects. The tool complies with the principles of the Open Data Standard for Infrastructure (OC4IDS), which allows for the opening of data on the life cycle of public infrastructure projects, and complies with international best practices.  

The platform gathers information on more than 30,000 public works contracts from national and local entities since 2020. Updated weekly, it offers interactive visualisations, maps, filters, downloads and statistics that allow users to find out what is being built, where, with what budget, who the contractors are and what the physical progress of the projects is. 

The platform provides vital information from 2025 so far:

1. More than USD 806 million was awarded in public works in Ecuador since the beginning of the year. 
2. The tendering procedure represents 45% of the contracted amount.  
3. Public works in Ecuador have an average of 27 bidders in minor procedures, 8 in tenders and 7 in quotations.  
4. The entities that have contracted the most works include the Decentralised Autonomous Provincial Government of El Oro, the Municipality of Ambato, and the Metropolitan Public Water and Sanitation Company.   
5. The largest suppliers are Constructora Ordaja S.A, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, and Compañía Verdu Sociedad Anónima.  

With this platform, CoST Ecuador responds to the need for public information on works carried out with state resources. The platform is available for use at: https://costecuador.org/list-projects