Member since 2025
Public infrastructure in context
Public infrastructure in Cali, Colombia, plays a critical role in enabling access to essential services, mobility, and economic development for its more than 2.2 million residents. However, like many growing urban centres in Latin America, the city has faced challenges such as project delays, limited access to information, and insufficient citizen oversight in infrastructure delivery. Addressing these issues is key to building public trust and ensuring that infrastructure investments meet the real needs of the community.
To tackle these challenges, the Infrastructure Secretariat of the Municipality of Cali has initiated a transformation focused on integrity, openness, and citizen engagement. A central element of this strategy is the city’s participation in CoST – The Infrastructure Transparency Initiative, which aims to enhance public accountability through structured data disclosure and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
One of the key actions taken is the integration of a public disclosure platform under the city’s “Infraestructura Para Todos” portal. The Secretariat is also leading efforts to establish a Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) that includes representatives from civil society, academia, the private sector, and government, to guide oversight, ensure inclusivity, and build consensus in decision-making.
Furthermore, the Secretariat has begun promoting social accountability mechanisms, such as community oversight visits, transparency workshops with students and residents, and public reporting of project progress. These initiatives are designed not only to prevent corruption and inefficiency but also to empower citizens to actively participate in shaping the future of infrastructure in their city. Cali’s approach is rapidly becoming a model of transparency-driven infrastructure governance in Colombia and the wider Latin American region.
How it all began
The Infrastructure Secretariat of the Cali Mayor’s Office was officially approved as a CoST – Infrastructure Transparency Initiative member in April 2025, following a thorough review of the city’s strong governmental commitment and the active support of the private sector, academia, and civil society. This collective effort aims to enhance transparency and strengthen civic participation mechanisms in public infrastructure, generating a positive impact not only in Cali but also across the Valle del Cauca Department and surrounding municipalities.
Cali’s Infrastructure Secretary, Luz Adriana Vásquez, is widely recognized in Colombia as an accomplished public sector leader. In her first year of service, she demonstrated significant transformations in the way infrastructure is planned and delivered — promoting principles of efficiency, openness, and accountability.
As part of this milestone, on Monday, May 29, the city hosted a high-level launch event for its CoST membership attended by over 200 participants, where a formal Commitment Signing Ceremony was held. The event brought together the Municipal Government, private sector representatives, civil society leaders, and the CoST International Secretariat to officially endorse the programme and initiate the path toward a more transparent infrastructure ecosystem in Cali.
Next steps for CoST Cali
In accordance with its application to become a CoST member programme, the District of Cali will begin by establishing its Multi-Stakeholder Group, which will serve as the core governance body of the initiative. Following this, the city will work on developing a public infrastructure data publication platform using open data, integrated into the “Infraestructura Para Todos” portal.
Get in touch
Santiago Sanchez – CoST Cali Manager
cali@infrastructuretransparency.org
Useful Links
https://infraestructuraparatodos.cali.gov.co/