CoST – the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. Don't spend time on an approach; the similar funders below support the same kind of work.
Key takeaways
- CoST's stated work on infrastructure transparency, accountability, education, poverty relief and public safety fits organisations in those fields, and its geographic focus is given as any part of the world.
- Because it accepts applications by invitation only and does not take unsolicited requests, the route in is likely to be relationship-led rather than an open competitive round.
- Its grants go to participating countries, and recipients must be legally constituted and subject to independent audit, so an unincorporated group or a body without independent audit should not apply.
- Any application needs a form covering activities, objectives and a budget, evidence that all main stakeholders have been consulted and approve it in principle, and accounts and receipts for all expenditure.
- The Charity Commission register shows total annual giving of £331,232, but no grant range or typical grant size is stated, so any request should be sized against that total.
Overview
CoST – the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1152236).
CoST – the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1152236). It exists to promote ethical and transparent standards of conduct, compliance with the law, and accountability in the provision of infrastructure and infrastructure services in any part of the world. It brings together governments, civil society and private-sector partners. Its annual giving is £331,232, and the one programme it lists is making financial grants to participating countries.
What they fund
Priority Areas
CoST works to deliver more effective and sustainable infrastructure through greater transparency, accountability and participation. Its charitable purposes cover ethical and transparent standards, compliance with the law and accountability in infrastructure provision worldwide; relieving poverty, suffering and distress caused by waste, corruption, mismanagement or inefficiency; advancing education, knowledge and exchange of experience; and improving public safety. It brings together governments, civil society and private-sector partners, combining locally led reform with international best practice. The grant-making policy described by CoST directs awards to participating countries and limits recipients to legally constituted bodies subject to independent audit. Membership is aimed at national or sub-national governments and their civil society and private-sector partners committed to reform in public infrastructure.
Themes
- Infrastructure transparency
- Infrastructure accountability
- Infrastructure education
- Infrastructure poverty relief
- Infrastructure public safety
Geographic Focus
Any part of the world.
What they don't fund
- Bodies that are not legally constituted and subject to independent audit
How to apply
Applicants complete an application form covering activities, objectives and a budget, and demonstrate that all main stakeholders have been consulted and approve it in principle.
Who can apply:
- Grants are only made to bodies that are legally constituted and subject to independent audit.
- Governments at national or subnational levels can join CoST as a member.
What to send:
- Applicants complete an application form that includes activities, objectives and a budget.
- Applicants must demonstrate that all main stakeholders have been consulted on the application and approve it in-principle.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- Recipients are required to submit accounts and receipts for all expenditure.
Where they fund
Where it says it funds
- International
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to CoST – the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative.
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 December 2021 | £641,682 | £956,786 | — | Accounts for year to 31 December 2021 |
| year to 31 December 2022 | £660,134 | £617,360 | £87,387 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2022 |
| year to 31 December 2023 | £1,222,941 | £1,038,536 | — | Accounts for year to 31 December 2023 |
| year to 31 December 2024 | £1,791,554 | £1,813,678 | £295,444 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2024 |
| year to 31 December 2025 | £1,873,152 | £1,871,522 | £331,232 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2025 |
Income vs grants paid
IncomeGrants paid
Total value each financial year
Grants paid stayed within income across the 3 years shown.
- Grants paid, year to 31 December 2022; year to 31 December 2024; year to 31 December 2025: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).
— No grants figure for those years.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
- infrastructuretransparency.org
- infrastructuretransparency.org/about-us · read on 30 October 2026
- infrastructuretransparency.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/3204_Trustee-accounts-and-annual-reports-2014-.pdf · read on 30 October 2026
- infrastructuretransparency.org/joining-cost · read on 30 October 2026
- infrastructuretransparency.org/contact-us · read on 30 October 2026
- Annual report (year to 31 December 2025)
This profile draws on the funder’s own website as well as its filed accounts.
Sources last checked on 30 October 2026.
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At a glance
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