In February 2021, Bogota became a member of CoST, the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative, with a brave objective of empowering stakeholders from across civil society, government and private sector to deliver better value infrastructure projects that improves lives.

From its early days, CoST Bogota targeted the oversight, formulation and implementation of the publication of infrastructure data, internal organizational structures and training procurement entities.

This included the implementation of an online data platform, encouraging the centralization of data and ensuring the quick publication and accessibility of data to civil society, media, citizens, and other stakeholders.

These achievements led to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Colombia, showcasing CoST Bogota and its Data information Platform for Public Infrastructure in March 2024.

During the launch its report “Best Practices in Transparency in Infrastructure in Colombia”, UNODC highlighted CoST Bogota’s work based on the criteria of innovation, replicability, and sustainability.

The event was attended by Manuel González Caballero, the Latin America Senior Regional Manager, on behalf of CoST International.

He pointed out the significance of this recognition of CoST Bogota’s work and the need to continue promoting transparency, accountability and participation to strengthen management and corruption prevention mechanisms in the infrastructure sector.

Representatives from CoST Bogota National Secretariat participated on behalf of the Mayor of Bogota’s office.

The award was presented to the Deputy Secretary General, Alejandro Becker, who highlighted the district’s efforts in promoting transparency in the infrastructure sector and the commitment of the mayor’s team to continue strengthening accountability and participation.

CoST Bogota’s Data publication Portal is a tool designed in PowerBI, which allows for a comfortable user experience and showcases dozens of infrastructure projects relevant to the citizens of Bogota, including projects on healthcare, environment and education.

CoST Bogota has concentrated efforts on supporting key players, such as private sector, academia and civil society and local communities, among others; to make public construction and procurement processes for large-scale projects more transparent.

This has supported the improvement of the city’s transport infrastructure, in projects such as their construction of the Metro, which will benefit approximately five million people.

Speaking about the relevance of strengthening public infrastructure during our workshop in March, Fredy Martinez, CoST Bogota Manager, said “It’s essential to create more comprehensive institutional environments to guarantee transparency and integrity in all these processes.”

CoST Bogota has promoted citizen participation and accountability through the implementation of CoST Infrastructure Data Standard and to make the information of the projects visible under these standards.

This allows people to know where the projects are, contractors involved, the status of progress, the associated costs and more.

Through our members in Latin America and beyond, we promote initiatives that allow citizens to have accessible, reliable, and timely information and infrastructure, which improves their lives.

This has included increased changes for women and indigenous communities and more climate resilient infrastructure.

By promoting the publication and use of infrastructure data, multi-stakeholder working and civic engagement, we promote dynamic tools and standards infrastructure, as well as the processes of planning, procurement, contracting and execution of public infrastructure.

More details on the work of CoST Bogota are available on our website.