Search

Suggestions

Impact bond
Social impact bond
SIBs
Life Chances Fund
Engaging with Evidence
INDIGO
Cross-sector partnerships
Procurement
Social value
Outcomes

About GO Lab

The basics

New to outcomes-based contracting? Here are some jargon-free introductions to the various types of approaches

Outcomes-based contracting

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.

Relational contracting

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.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Knowledge bank

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

Resource library

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

Toolkit

Interested in designing and managing outcomes-based projects? We have prepared some tools and guidance to help

Impact bond lifecycle

Developed in consultation with a wide range of practitioners to support projects being established under the UK Government’s Life Chances Fund.

Technical guidance

We have a range of guidance to support you develop impact bonds, from setting and measuring outcomes, to awarding the contract and pricing outcomes.

GO Lab-CIPFA Value for Money (VfM) Toolkit

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.

Impact Wayfinder [Prototype]

Are you thinking of running an impact evaluation for your project? Check out our new Impact Wayfinder! We'll help you find the right evaluation for you according to the focus of your organisation and the scale of your project.

Community

Connect with others through our global directory, read the latest blogs, join our events and more.

Oxford Government Outcomes Blog

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

Peer Learning Groups

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.

Home Knowledge bank Resource library

Resource library

Want to keep up-to-date on the latest news and events in the field?

Subscribe to our newsletters

Search

281 results

GO Lab publications only
Resource Type

Resource Type
Evaluation Report (63)

Report (47)

Video (46)

Practical guide (33)

Research paper (15)

Case Study (9)

LCF project-led evaluation (7)

Government publication (4)

Policy brief (4)

Template (3)

Policy paper (3)

POGO (2)

White paper (1)

Working paper (1)
Topic

Topic
Health & wellbeing (23)

Child and family welfare (19)

Employment and training (12)

Procurement (9)

Poverty reduction (6)

Homelessness (6)

Education and early years (6)

Criminal justice (5)

Agriculture and environment (2)
Country

Country
United Kingdom (95)

United States (8)

Australia (7)

India (5)

Worldwide (4)

Cameroon (2)

Finland (1)

France (1)

Italy (1)

Netherlands (1)

Peru (1)

Portugal (1)

South Africa (1)
Publication Date

Publication Date
2023 (29)

2022 (54)

2021 (64)

2020 (21)

2019 (24)

2018 (16)

2017 (22)

2016 (19)

2015 (12)

2014 (12)

2013 (4)

2012 (1)

2011 (3)

Reset

Featured publication

Evaluation Report | 31 Aug 2023

Life Chances Fund Second Stage Evaluation Report: Kirklees

This is the second of three planned reports within a longitudinal evaluation of the Kirklees Better Outcomes Partnership (KBOP).

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Resource | 20 Oct 2023

INDIGO Impact Bond Insights Report - October 2023

Every six months, we take stock of the new data on projects or upcoming projects and offer a snapshot of the landscape of impact bonds across the world. The fifth edition is now available!

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Report | 10 Oct 2023

The Collaboration Playbook: A leader’s guide to cross-sector collaboration

The Collaboration Playbook: 'A Leader's Guide to Cross-sector Collaboration', co-authored by GO Lab researcher Ian Taylor and GO Lab alumnus Nigel Ball, has been published.

Organisations: The Whitehall & Industry Group (WIG), Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Research paper | 19 Sep 2023

Responsible government and responsible business: the challenge of harnessing CSR in a new epoch

Are we in a new epoch of responsible business? This open access article provides a comprehensive review of the thinking around responsible business and the risks and opportunities for governments looking to harness it.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Report | 8 Sep 2023

Impact Investment in Sport: Innovating the Funding of Sport for Development

Organisation: UNESCO

Discover the International Network for Data on Impact and Government Outcomes (INDIGO). Here you can explore our datasets, join our events and find out more about data sharing in the field of social outcomes.

Better data for better social outcomes

Explore

Practical guide | 1 Sep 2023

Social Impact Bond: WIN3 - Brace for impact? Guideline for a Social Impact Bond

Social Impact Bond: WIN3 - Brace for impact? Guideline for a Social Impact Bond, authored by Ian Dewae has been published.

Organisation: HOGENT, University of Applied Science Ghent

Government publication | 31 Aug 2023

Life Chances Fund intermediate evaluation: data release

This data release presents analysis from a longitudinal survey of LCF providers, commissioners, investors and intermediaries.

Organisations: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab), Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

POGO | 26 Aug 2023

Oxford POGO Club - Response to consultation on draft regulations to implement the Procurement Bill

Read the POGO Club's response to consultation on draft regulations to implement the Procurement Bill

Organisation: Oxford POGO Club

Evaluation Report | 24 Aug 2023

Be the Change Impact Bond: Final In-depth review

This final in-depth review of the Be the Change Social Impact Bond is produced as part of the independent Commissioning Better Outcomes evaluation, and undertaken by Neil Stanworth and ATQ Consultants.

Organisation: ATQ Consultants

We coordinate a range of geographical and thematically focused peer learning groups which enable people to learn from each other.

Peer learning groups

Join us

Case Study | 10 Aug 2023

Evidence and Insights from Paying for Outcomes in India

The case study report uses qualitative methods to trends, experiences and insights from key stakeholders such us funders, intermediaries, social investors, service providers, researchers, and public sector organisations In India around OBFs.

Organisations: The Government Outcomes Lab, British Asian Trust

Research paper | 9 Aug 2023

Household donations of time and money in response to a health shock

This paper investigates how the household’s joint decision to donate time (volunteer) and money changes following a health shock.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Research paper | 7 Aug 2023

Contractual acrobatics: a configurational analysis of outcome specifications and payment in outcome-based contracts

This article explores the link between how outcomes are contractually specified and how much is paid for their achievement.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Policy brief | 25 Jul 2023

Improving Female Labour Force Participation through Outcomes-Based Financing

This brief responds to the commitment G20 leaders made to reducing the gender gap in labour force participation by 25%.

Organisation: G20

New to outcomes-based contracting and social impact bonds? Discover the basics about these innovative approaches to the provision of public services.

Back to basics

Read More

Research paper | 24 Jul 2023

Contracting ‘Person-centred’ Working by Results: Street-level Managers and Frontline Experiences

This longitudinal study evaluates the contractual shift of a British support service for adults with multiple, complex needs from bilateral fee-for-service arrangements to an outcomes contract in the form of a ‘social impact bond’.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Report | 30 Jun 2023

Scaling-up Results-Based financing for Community Health: Learning Agenda

This learning agenda aims to evaluate whether and to what extent the RBF drove impact on maternal and child health outcomes and, by extension, whether RBF presents a pathway for improving the scalability and sustainability of results.

Organisations: Instiglio, Living Goods, USAID DIV + more

Report | 23 Jun 2023

Exploring blockchain technologies for collaboration and partnerships

Explore the Government Outcomes Lab and CIPFA's report on blockchain technology, offering practical guidance for leveraging collaboration in the public sector and improving social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

Organisations: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab), Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)

Evaluation Report | 20 Jun 2023

Evaluation of the care leavers social impact bond programme

This evaluation of the Care Leavers Social Impact Bond (SIB) programme was commissioned by the HM Department of Education, and undertaken by Ecorys UK with ATQ Consultants and Dr Claire Baker

Organisations: Ecorys, ATQ Consultants

Explore our in-depth collection of case studies on impact bonds and other outcomes-based approaches around the world.

Case studies

Explore

Research paper | 16 Jun 2023

Tracing 25 years of ‘initiativitis’ in central government attempts to join up local public services in England

This article makes a significant contribution to our understanding of coordination programmes at a central–local government level.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

LCF project-led evaluation | 1 Jun 2023

Evaluation of the WDP IPS Into Work service

This evaluation examines the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Into Work Service for workless clients with substance issues across eight West London boroughs.

Organisation: Scottish Centre for Employment Research, Department for Work, Employment and Organisation, Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde

LCF project-led evaluation | 1 Jun 2023

Future Impact Programme Evaluation

This report evaluates the performance of Future Impact which supports young people aged 15 to 24 with special educational needs in Nottinghamshire through education and training programmes to ultimately move into and sustain employment or voluntary work.

Organisations: ConnectMore Solutions, Richmond Baxter Ltd

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Subscribe to our newsletters

Subscribe to our newsletters

Follow us

The basics

Outcomes-based contracting
Impact bonds
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Knowledge bank

INDIGO
Case studies
Resource library
Glossary

Toolkit

Impact bond lifecycle
Technical guidance
GO Lab-CIPFA Value for Money (VfM) Toolkit

Community

Oxford Government Outcomes Blog
News
Events
Peer Learning Groups

About

Government Outcomes Lab: The first five years
Outcomes-based contracting
Procurement and social value
Public service partnerships
Development of practice tools
Our people
Career opportunities
Contact us

GO Lab privacy and cookies Website terms of use Creative commons Accessibility statement

Copyright © 2023, Government Outcomes Lab