New to outcomes-based contracting? Here are some jargon-free introductions to the various types of approaches
This guide offers an introduction to outcomes-based contracting, including its place among other methods of contracting out public services, the theoretical pros and cons, and the evidence to date.
New to impact bonds? This user-friendly guide will explore what impact bonds are, the evidence to date and how they work in practice in different countries around the world.
This guide provides an introduction to relational contracting in the public sector, explaining what it is, the potential benefits and challenges, and how to adopt a relational approach.
This guide introduces outcomes funds. It aims to document and describe outcomes funds around the world and identify lessons for future fund design.
Explore our datasets, case studies and publications to learn more about the latest research on outcomes-based contracting
We are the International Network for Data on Impact and Government Outcomes (INDIGO). Here you can explore our datasets, read our latest news, join our events and find out more about data sharing in the field of social outcomes.
A collection of in-depth case studies of impact bonds around the world
View the latest reports, evaluations and more on outcomes-based contracting
A glossary of key terms and working definitions around impact bonds and outcomes-based contracting
Interested in designing and managing outcomes-based projects? We have prepared some tools and guidance to help
Developed in consultation with a wide range of practitioners to support projects being established under the UK Government’s Life Chances Fund.
We have a range of guidance to support you develop impact bonds, from setting and measuring outcomes, to awarding the contract and pricing outcomes.
We've partnered with Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy(CIPFA) to develop a toolkit for public managers planning to assess VfM of outcomes-based contracting programmes, or any public programme with an outcome-focus.
Connect with others through our global directory, read the latest blogs, join our events and more.
Read the latest opinion and insights from the GO Lab network
Find out the latest news from the GO Lab and across the sector
Join our events, from webinars, regional events to international conferences
At the GO Lab, we host a selection of peer learning groups that aim to support learning and knowledge on outcome-based approaches. Read more on our different groups and upcoming sessions here.
Reiji Ikeda (Offender Rehabilitation Support Manager, Ministry of Justice Japan, and former Visiting Fellow of Practice at the Government Outcomes Lab), reflects upon the lessons and challenges for criminal justice social impact bonds.
Last updated 14 Mar 2023, 11:19 a.m.
In this blog, Srinithya Nagarajan shares the key insights from a recent INDIGO peer learning session on the topic of data ownership and access.
Last updated 7 Mar 2023, 5 p.m.
In this blog, Michael Gibson, Research and Policy Associate at the Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab) highlights some of our key questions around trust and relationships in pursuit of better social outcomes, and how we might explore these at SOC23.
Last updated 7 Mar 2023, 10:37 a.m.
We recently partnered with Ecorys to undertake a global systematic review to explore whether, when, and where (and if possible, how) outcomes-based contracting approaches deliver improved impact. Read the highlights of the first session here.
Last updated 14 Jan 2021, 5:54 p.m.
2021 promises a real chance of putting Covid-19 behind us. For many of us, our work gives us the privilege of being part of the effort to ‘build back better’. What does that mean for what the GO Lab focuses on in 2021 and beyond?
Last updated 3 Dec 2020, 1:24 p.m.
Sam Magne, Knowledge and Learning Manager at The National Lottery Community Fund, reflects on the first in-depth report on Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Zero HIV SIB.
Last updated 3 Dec 2020, 10:32 a.m.
In this blog, Ruby Dickson summarises the GO Lab's response to the British Standards Institution's proposed codification of social value.
Last updated 24 Nov 2020, 5:28 p.m.
Our Executive Director Nigel Ball discusses the multiple interpretations of "citizen participation" and explores why it can feel hard to do in practice
Last updated 11 Nov 2020, 11:24 p.m.
In this piece we share highlights from the 'Contracting for Risk Transfer and Innovation' panel session at SOC20. We explore how the Covid crisis has affected our understanding of risk transfer in SIBs, and what this implies for the future of SIBs.
Last updated 23 Oct 2020, 4:22 p.m.
We talked with Mark Lovell about the lessons that have emerged so far from his social investor perspective.
Last updated 13 Oct 2020, 2:15 p.m.
Aman Johal reflects on how socially-motivated investors in the UK have responded to the crisis and the emergent thinking around the role of impact investment in post-Covid19 recovery
Last updated 9 Oct 2020, 6 a.m.
Last updated 9 Sep 2020, 2:04 p.m.
Last updated 5 Aug 2020, 11:43 a.m.