CoST’s membership includes cities and regions, as well as countries. Local governments are vital to governance, bridging the gap between citizens and national state institutions. Their proximity to communities allows for tailored responses to regional needs but can also expose them to heightened corruption risks as low level of capacity may allow processes and spending to go unchecked. Addressing these vulnerabilities is essential, not only for facilitating public trust but also for ensuring effective service delivery and improving the quality of life for citizens.

In last year’s Open Government Partnership (OGP) Local Deep Dive webinar series, Manuel Gonzalez, our Senior Regional Manager for Latin America, highlighted the anti-corruption work of members. These examples highlighted how local governments can combat corruption through innovative open government approaches with insights from leading global experts and practitioners. 

The role of transparency in public infrastructure 

Public infrastructure projects are pivotal in fostering economic and social development but the global cost of corruption is an estimated 5% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) highlighting the need for rigorous oversight. When governments fail to deliver projects on time or within budget, or when projects underperform, it erodes trust in institutions.  

Our members work on the publication of data on public infrastructure with local government and key stakeholders including residents. There is a growing recognition in the need for local communities to participate in infrastructure development. 

Reflecting on the importance of anti-corruption in public infrastructure during the OGP session, Manuel said, “What we are trying to do is change the culture. I think that’s very important; this is the key element of our impact in a sector that is sometimes complex. But we want to make it simple for citizens and for all the stakeholders involved, including public officials and the private sector, journalists, to bring them data that is easier to understand.” 

Manuel shared some successful experiences of CoST members from over a decade of working for transparency, participation and accountability in infrastructure. This included our members’ use of CoST tools and standards.  

Bogotá, Colombia 

Bogotá has embraced transparency by sharing detailed data on critical projects like its much-needed metro system. Through a collaborative website, residents gain insight into project progress, fostering trust and enhancing public participation. CoST Bogota reinforced these efforts by integrating CoST’s global standards, Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standards (OC4IDS) and supporting civil society engagement in the use of data from the data publication platform.

Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana 

This local government implemented the Infrastructure Transparency Index (ITI) to assess and improve its infrastructure environment. Involving the private sector as a key stakeholder has been vital because of their role in project execution and their capacity to influence ethical practices within the industry. 

West Lombok, Indonesia 

Leveraging the OC4IDS standard, West Lombok developed an open data platform that facilitates data publication and enables cross-regional comparisons. For instance, insights from Indonesia, Bogotá, and Sekondi-Takoradi can now be shared, creating a global learning network. 

Guadalajara, México 

In Jalisco, Guadalajara, transparency extends to local leadership. The CoST Jalisco infrastructure portal publishes project details, contractors, and implementation processes, with active involvement from academia and local chambers of commerce to ensure diverse stakeholder representation. 

Gonzalez explained that CoST has “members around the world that are publishing infrastructure data daily. We managed to compare and to learn from each other. We need to care about the use of the data, and we have a strategy around social accountability where we build capacities on citizens, public officials, journalists, and the private sector on the use of this data, and they do it; they use it for their daily work.” 

Looking ahead to future anti-corruption efforts 

Technology and collaboration are reshaping anti-corruption strategies. Here are some emerging trends: 

• Adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI tools can analyse vast datasets, flagging potential corruption risks in procurement and project execution. 

• Building Capacity: Continuous training for government officials, journalists, and civil society ensures sustained use of transparency tools. 

• Engaging New Stakeholders: Social media influencers and citizen journalists are emerging as key partners in amplifying anti-corruption efforts. 

• Cross-Border Learning: Sharing practices and experiences among governments accelerates the adoption of effective strategies. 

Collaboration as the cornerstone 

The fight against corruption requires a multi-stakeholder approach where governments, private sectors, civil societies, and citizens actively participate. Organisations like CoST and OGP facilitate these collaborations, offering frameworks and tools to enhance transparency and accountability. 

The session highlighted that anti-corruption is not just about punitive measures, it’s about creating a culture of integrity, innovation, and inclusivity. By embracing open government principles, local governments worldwide pave the way for a more transparent and accountable future. 

Find out more about our members’ work on fighting against anti-corruption on our website, and by signing up to our newsletter, or follow us on our socials LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter and Facebook 

Watch the entire session on YouTube: