CoST guidance helps current and prospective members to implement each of the four features of the CoST approach: disclosure, assurance, multi-stakeholder working and social accountability. Our resources set out the key requirements, questions and steps that those responsible for developing a CoST programme need to consider, however they can be utilised by any government or entity wishing to promote more transparent infrastructure locally.
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Guidance Note: Scoping Study
Guidance Note: Mainstreaming Gender Equality
Disclosure Manual
Guidance Note: Disclosure
Guidance Note: Improving infrastructure transparency, participation and accountability during a crisis
Assurance Manual
Guidance Note: Assurance
Guidance Note: Establishing a CoST Multi-Stakeholder Group
Guidance Note: Social Accountability
Guidance Note: Joining CoST
Guidance Note: CoST and the Open Government Partnership
Guidance Note: Scoping Study
This latest addition to the suite of CoST Guidance Notes sets out the objectives, tasks, approach
and reporting requirements necessary for undertaking a Scoping Study in support of a potential or actual CoST programme.
The scope and depth, and hence time and budget, required of a Scoping Study will depend on the circumstances under which it is undertaken. In every case, however, it serves to clarify whether, and if so how, the CoST approach can realistically be expected to contribute to systematic improvements in governance of the public infrastructure sectors or sub-sectors under consideration. It provides a baseline for transparency in the infrastructure sector and sets out the current how the government, the private sector and civil society currently participate in the delivery of public infrastructure.
The Guidance Note, together with associated Excel tools, serves as a basis for both for conducting a Scoping Study and for developing Terms of Reference that will suit the local context.
Guidance Note: Mainstreaming Gender Equality
Over recent years CoST has increased its focus on promoting greater gender-equality across its member programmes and the infrastructure sector. This includes promoting more equal representation in the composition of member secretariats, the multi-stakeholder groups that guide programme delivery and the assurance teams members work with to put key infrastructure issues in the public domain. Importantly, members have also amplified the voice of females in their civic engagement activities. This has promoted female empowerment and ensured the project issues that negatively impact women are brought to light. Our Guidance builds on this work and shows how a gender-inclusive approach can be incorporated across the core features of the CoST approach in data disclosure, assurance multi-stakeholder working and social accountability.
Disclosure Manual
The CoST Disclosure Manual manual provides guidance to help design and strengthen disclosure processes that ensure the timely and reliable disclosure of data by public infrastructure procuring entities. This includes data disclosed both proactively (without official request) and reactively (after request).The manual contains guidance and useful tools of value to anyone with an interest in, or responsibility for, a CoST disclosure process. However, it is primarily aimed at members of CoST member secretariats and their multi-stakeholder groups who will be supporting the design and implementation of disclosure processes in conjunction with procuring entities responsible for disclosing data. Read more
Also available in Spanish.
Guidance Note: Disclosure
This guidance note sets out the key requirements, questions and steps for the disclosure process under a national or sub-national programme for CoST. Disclosure concerns the publication of data from publicly financed infrastructure projects by procuring entities.This data needs to be disclosed at key stages throughout a project’s life cycle, either in the CoST Infrastructure Data Standard (CoST IDS) or the Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standard (OC4IDS) format. This guidance note supplements the more detailed CoST Disclosure Manual. Read more.
Also available in Spanish.
Guidance Note: Improving infrastructure transparency, participation and accountability during a crisis
This Guidance Note outlines how to prioritise and fast-track the implementation the CoST approach during a crisis, without necessarily becoming part of a recognised CoST programme. Such an approach not only helps to reduce risks associated with the procurement of public infrastructure during a crisis, but also lays the foundations for more lasting reforms. Prepared during the Covid-19 pandemic, this resource is intended for use by decision-makers who may not already be practising CoST’s four core features but who recognise the potential relevance of each such feature. Read more.
Also available in French, Portuguese and Spanish.
Assurance Manual
The CoST Assurance Manual provides comprehensive guidance related to the CoST core feature of assurance, an independent review which validates the accuracy and completeness of disclosed data and turns it into compelling information, highlighting issues of concern and areas of good practice. Specifically, the Manual outlines key steps needed to carry out an assurance site visit, and produce and launch an assurance report. Members can use the manual to produce reports which are compelling, substantiated and which generate impact. These become a key tool to strengthen trust and improve performance in the infrastructure sector. Read more.
Also available in Spanish.
Guidance Note: Assurance
The Assurance Guidance Note accompanies the Manual, providing an overview of assurance, its purpose, function and key steps to implementing an assurance process. Both the Guidance Note and Assurance Manual are primarily aimed at CoST members but can provide useful lessons for similar initiatives and other advocates of infrastructure transparency Read more.
Also available in Spanish.
Guidance Note: Establishing a CoST Multi-Stakeholder Group
The CoST approach to multi-stakeholder working brings government, private sector and civil society together in pursuit of a common goal. This is typically achieved through the establishment of a Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) comprising representatives of each stakeholder group. This guidance note outlines six core steps to form and deliver a multi-stakeholder group that works efficiently together and with the secretariat of a CoST member programme. Read more.
Also available in Spanish.
Guidance Note: Social Accountability
The CoST social accountability feature helps ensure that the data disclosed and turned into compelling information during the assurance process is used by the media, civil society and others such as academia, infrastructure monitors and ordinary citizens. This guidance note emphasises the different tried and tested ways to heighten accountability in different contexts, using CoST member experience to do so. It offers practical steps to effectively design a social accountability strategy, including identifying the audience, tools and messages to engage stakeholders and monitoring progress throughout delivery. Read more.
Also available in Spanish.
Guidance Note: Joining CoST
There are various ways to join CoST and receive support. This guidance note explains what they are and is designed to help potential members decide which form of membership is best for them. The 
three options for applying the CoST approach to infrastructure are as a member, an affiliate or by using the range of tools and resources available on our website. This guidance note explains each option including the support available and the rights and responsibilities associated with each approach. It also explains how to apply to join CoST as a member or affiliate, what should be included in an application and where it should be submitted. Read more.
Also available in French, Spanish and Portuguese.
Guidance Note: CoST and the Open Government Partnership
The Open Government Partnership (OGP) has been hugely successful in promoting the importance of transparency and accountability in public service 
delivery, including how it contributes to more accessible and affordable infrastructure for citizens. This Guidance Note outlines how CoST can assist OGP members to meet their commitments to improving transparency and accountability in public infrastructure. It identifies how the CoST approach to transparency and accountability aligns with OGP principles and provides model commitments for inclusion in an OGP Action Plan. Read more.
Also available in Spanish.