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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.

Mission-led Growth Dashboard

This innovative dashboard benchmarks performance data for each council in England with its Nearest Neighbour, the median of all local authorities in England and the average of the selected authority’s ten Nearest Neighbours.

Formal-relational contracting playbook

Helping commissioners and providers to take a formal-relational approach to delivering complex public services.

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

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

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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)

Conference session | 15 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Deep Dive: Challenges of measurement & evaluation in outcomes-based contracts

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Conference session | 15 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Deep Dive: Strength in depth, harnessing collaboration and local knowledge

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Conference session | 15 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Deep Dive: Bold & bright: learning from innovative global practice in social outcomes contracts

Organisation: The Government Outcomes 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

Conference session | 15 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Big Picture: Putting the puzzle together - piecing together data and evidence in Outcomes-Based Contracting

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Conference session | 15 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Deep Dive: Investing in mental health and disability: how outcomes-focused innovative financing can support and advocate for systemic change

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Conference session | 15 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Deep Dive: What is in a measurement? Insights and perspectives for measuring and monetising outcomes

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Conference session | 15 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Deep Dive: Enhancing the effectiveness of spending for environmental and social outcomes

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

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

Conference session | 15 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Big Picture: Turning the oil tanker - can outcomes-based partnership really catalyse lasting change?

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Conference session | 15 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Public Talk: Dame Margaret Hodge in conversation with Professor Carolyn Heinrich: Accountability at arm’s length: how should we hold public-private partnerships to account?

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Conference session | 14 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Keynote: Understanding the ‘eleven secret herbs and spices’

On the first day of SOC23 Professor Mark Considine (University of Melbourne) shared insights from his research on public service delivery.

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Conference session | 14 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Deep Dive: Comparative perspectives on building sustainable ecosystems for social outcomes contracting

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

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

Conference session | 14 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Deep Dive: Procuring outcomes - still knotty?

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Conference session | 14 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Deep Dive: Participatory approaches in research, services and policy

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Conference session | 14 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Deep Dive: Public sector reform: insights from the Life Chances Fund & beyond

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Conference session | 14 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Deep Dive: The greatest goals — procuring sustainability at the edge of our ability?

Organisation: The Government Outcomes 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

Conference session | 14 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Deep Dive: Navigating collaborative governance – strategies, dynamics and impact

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Conference session | 14 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Deep Dive: Pursuing better social outcomes in fragile and conflict-affected states

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Conference session | 14 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Big Picture: Firming up the handshake: exploring the potential of formal relational contracting in the public sector

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Conference session | 14 Sep 2023

| SOC23 | Book Launch: Social Economy Science - transforming the economy and making society more resilient

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

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The basics

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

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Impact bond lifecycle
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