This is the GO Lab's monthly policy briefing. We collate and summarise all the news from across the sector and put it into this briefing. This month you'll find resources on developing impact bonds, lots of reflections on where we are at with impact bonds and discussion around collaboration and data collection.
Opinion Accountability: An unhelpful concept? Matt Bell, GO Lab Fellow of Practice, and CEO of POP+ explores accountability and the challenges, as well as the concept of positive accountability and how this plays out in real life. GO Lab
Opinion Why social impact bonds need a Bill Gates moment – Ruben Koeboek, co-founder of Social Finance NL makes a plea for transparency in the world of social impact bonds. GO Lab
Opinion Why are we still talking about impact bonds? – Nigel Ball shares his first monthly blog and outlines three reasons why we are still talking about impact bonds – 1) they transfer risk, 2) they could unleash private capital to help markets meet obligations to citizens, 3) they nudge the focus of delivery towards end outcomes. GO Lab
Event recording Investing in the SDGs – Last month, Mara Airoldi, Director of the GO Lab spoke at this New York event to explore the current landscape of development financing and outcomes based funding mechanisms. The discussion looked at the successes, learnings, challenges and ways forward. You can watch the recording here. Devex
Report and commentary - The National Lottery Community Fund have published an update report on the Commissioning Better Outcomes Fund Evaluation. There are a range of outputs tailored to different audiences and appetites.
Documentary The Invisible Heart – The first documentary on social impact bonds is now available to stream for free if you have Amazon Prime. A few people have asked over the last few months when this would be out on general release – here you are. See the trailer here.
Resources The Urban Institute have just published a few new resources for those developing pay for success projects.
Opinion The evolving promise of pay for success – This article argues that despite growing pains, the pay for success funding model is finding renewed success in communities across the US and is primed to evolve into an ever-more powerful tool for social change. Stanford Social Innovation Review
News Payment by results pilot rewards environmentally friendly farming – A PbR pilot scheme was rolled out in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, as well as Norfolk and Suffolk in the East of England in early 2016. It enable farmers to make their own decisions about the way they maximise sustainable land use to preserve the natural environment and pays them on results. Results have been positive and the government are now funding the project a further two and a half years. Government Europa
Opinion Lessons learned from US shift to outcomes – This article argues that 1) a shift to outcomes funding, whilst difficult, is a must, 2) SIBS have been a useful tool to kickstart the outcomes revolution, but are one of many, 3) organisations that build outcomes funded projects are transformed for the better, 4) government need to collaborate with providers to better procure around outcomes Pro bono Australia
Opinion Researchers should collaborate with governments for both sides to be more effective – Written by a former government official and policy researcher in India, Gautam Patel argues that we need to adjust to the needs of government field staffers to succeed. Stanford Social Innovation Review
Opinion Take of the converted: how complex social problems have made me question the use of data in driving impact – John Burgoyne reflects on the Social Outcomes Conference last month. He argues that upending the primacy of data and embracing complexity can lead to a more nuanced and effective understanding of research impact. LSE Impact blog
Opinion Addressing the challenges of drafting contracts for data collaboration – To deal with complex public challenges, organisations increasingly seek to leverage data across sectors in new and innovative ways, such as forming collaborations. This article looks at the operational challenges associated with this and how they may be overcome. Medium
Opinion Three things Development Finance institutions can do to help reduce poverty – We don’t know the impact that development finance institutions (DFIs) are having on reducing poverty. Here are three ways DFIs can step up their game - 1) Increase focus on job quality, 2) Develop a clear theory of change, 3) Get better metrics and data. ODI