Conference Social Outcomes Conference 2020: Call for papers and presentations – In September 2020 we are hosting the 5th annual Social Outcomes Conference. If you’re interested in presenting your research insights, or work you are doing in practice, policymaking or more, please submit your paper or presentation. Read on for more details. GO Lab
Announcement Meet the 2020 GO Lab Fellows of Practice – Each year we appoint a small group of leading practitioners from across the public, private and voluntary sectors to support our mission to advance research and practice in how governments tackle complex social issues. This year we have nine Fellows from the UK and across the world. Find out a bit more about them in this article.
Opinion Why should we care about well-being? – The Prime Minister of Iceland argues that we must measure wellbeing not just economic growth. Leigh Crowley from the GO Lab shares his reflections and considers - 1) Are we are measuring the right indicators when we are thinking about growth? 2) Do we all experience the outcomes of growth equally and in the same way? 3) Are there potential alternative measures? GO Lab
Opinion How should we approach the reform of public services under a new government? – Reflecting on the GO Lab’s latest blog, Neil Stanworth shares his thoughts, including the value of better evidence for what works, the outcomes culture, and strong performance management. He also considers whether we should start treating spending to improve social outcomes as investments. ATQ Consulting
Opinion Here are the 7 skills you need to collaborate in government - This article from Thea Snow from Nesta argues that you need these seven skills for better collaboration - relationship building, communication skills, challenging the rules, empathy, creativity, diplomacy and the ability to manage complexity. Apolitical
Podcast Scaling and innovation – The latest episode of the Inside Social Innovation Podcast looks at scaling and argues that if an organisation doesn’t know how to learn or scale, innovation isn’t the answer to its struggles. Stanford Social Innovation Review
Podcast The kinds of collaboration that leads to successful innovation – Learning to innovate requires diligence, patience and (most of all) direct access to skilful role models. INSEAD Knowledge
News The global impact bond market in 2020: A year in review - This article takes a look at the impact bond landscape as it continues to grow. It shares learning from 2019 including the central role of data in outcomes based financing, and the impact these contracts are having on individuals lives. Brookings
Research Social impact bond: new finance or new procurement – This paper explores the motivations to do a SIB and the dimensions that characterise SIBs, and looks at the relationship between these two factors. It also looks at how these SIBs are being used to deliver services to solve particular social issues.
Press release UK aims to be Africa’s partner of choice for trade and investment – UK Government support boost to UK investment in Africa, as UK-Africa Investment Summit is held in London. A key announcement is: ‘a new £79 million package to support African government to create opportunities for private investors to put money into development projects to help meet the Global Goals through development impact bonds.
Opinion Kenya: the country impact investors cannot afford to ignore – Kristztina Tora, market development director at the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment writes about Kenya can take advantage of its interest from impact investors to unlock $10bn for sustainable development. Pioneers Post
News The European Social Catalyst Fund – The ESCF is a new initiative designed to have significant impact on Europe’s most pressing social challenges. It aims to bring together public and private resources to improve social services. Application forms opens 27th January 2020 for funding for impact projects.
Opinion Expand performance-related pay to boost Whitehall contract management, report recommends – An examination of government procurement and commercial functions by the CBI business group set out a series of recommendations intended to improve procurement and operations of government contracts. You can read the full report here. Civil Service World