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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.

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Resource library

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269 results

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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)

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

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)

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

Technical guidance

Read more

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

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

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

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)

Report | 18 May 2023

Efficiency and resilience: How can we adjust the dial?

In January 2023, Nigel Ball and Loic Menzie convened a roundtable to explore how a better balance can be struck between efficiency and resilience. This report sets out a number of ideas emerged from the discussion.

Organisations: The Government Outcomes Lab, Cambridge Assessment Network

Case Study | 16 May 2023

Wisbech Case Study

The Wisbech Partnership was a voluntary place-based partnership of cross-sector organisations working to improve the social outcomes in the Cambridgeshire town. This case study examines the phenomena.

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Evaluation report | 6 May 2023

West London Zone Collective Impact Bond: Final In-depth review

This final in-depth review of the West London Zone Collective Impact Bond is produced as part of the CBO Fund Evaluation, commissioned by The National Lottery Community Fund, and undertaken by Ecorys UK and ATQ Consultants.

Organisations: Ecorys, ATQ Consultants

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

Evaluation report | 24 Mar 2023

Mental Health and Employment Partnership evaluation for the Life Chances Fund: First interim report

This is the first of three planned reports within a longitudinal evaluation of the Mental Health and Employment Partnership (MHEP).

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Case Study | 28 Feb 2023

Turnaround Cities: Western Europe Case Studies - Insights from Lille, France, and The Basque Country & Bilbao, Spain

The Western European cities of Lille in France and Bilbao in Spain are marked examples of economic resilience. This case study looks at cluster development, skills formation, funding and governance among the attributable factors for success.

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Case Study | 28 Feb 2023

Turnaround Cities: Anglo-Saxon Case Studies - Insights from Pittsburgh (PA), Newcastle (NSW) and Windsor (Ont.)

The Anglo-Saxon case studies of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Windsor, Ontario, and Newcastle, New South Wales show how cities can use innovative instruments, such as tax increment financing, asset recycling and municipal bonusing, to galvanise collaboration

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Resource | 24 Feb 2023

INDIGO Impact Bond Insights Report - February 2023

The INDIGO Impact Bond Dataset is the most comprehensive publicly available dataset on impact bond projects. This report provides headline insights and analysis based on the dataset, offering an accessible overview of the global landscape.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

We publish articles on a range of topics related to improving social outcomes. Give them a read and if you'd like to write about something relevant to our work, get in touch!

Read our Oxford Government Outcomes Blog

Read more

Case Study | 23 Feb 2023

Turnaround Cities: German Case Studies - Insights from Dortmund, Duisburg and Leipzig

The German cities of Duisburg, Dortmund and Leipzig are examined in detail by German researchers Dr Suzanne Frick, based at the University of Oxford, and Dr Paula Prenzel based at the University of Greifswald.

Organisations: The Government Outcomes Lab, Institut für Geographie und Geologie, Universität Greifswald

Policy brief | 5 Dec 2022

Tackling Spatial Inequalities Roundtable Communiqué

This communiqué summarises the conversation that took place at the University of Oxford’s Tackling Spatial Inequalities Roundtable featuring senior cross-sector representatives to reinvigorate the agenda to level up the social outcomes across the UK.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Evaluation report | 1 Dec 2022

Findings from the third wave of the Independent Evaluation of the FCDO Development Impact Bonds Pilot Programme - Full Report

Organisations: Ecorys, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

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The basics

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Impact bond lifecycle
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