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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.

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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Reset

Resource | 8 Sep 2022

Partnerships with principles: Putting relationships at the heart of public contracts for better social outcomes

This guide has been developed to explain concretely what relational working between organisations is and how to do it, to support people to experiment more boldly with such approaches – and importantly, to help manage some of the risks inherent in them.

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Resource | 5 Sep 2022

Using outcomes-based contracting to tackle the climate crisis: A review of the evidence

This report offers an overview of the existing empirical literature on environmental OBC, and a summary of key findings from across the evidence, including the challenges and successes of project implementation and some indications of the environmental ou

Organisations: The Government Outcomes Lab, Ecorys

Report | 31 Aug 2022

INDIGO Impact Bond Insights Report - August 2022

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)

Resource | 17 Aug 2022

In Their Hands Development Impact Bond

This case study reflects on the experience of the ‘In Their Hands’ (ITH) project, the world’s first Development Impact Bond (DIB) with a focus on adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

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

Report | 25 May 2022

Innovative financing mechanisms for levelling up social outcomes

Read the Government Outcomes Lab and CIPFA’s report on the advances in pharmaceutical and carbon pricing, which seeks to explore transferrable insights for financing social outcomes amidst heightened uncertainty and budgetary pressures.

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

Resource | 11 May 2022

Partnerships in place: The Business of Levelling Up

Partnerships in Place: the business of levelling up, contains key findings and recommendations providing practical guidance to business, national and local government and existing place-based partnerships.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Resource | 3 May 2022

Using impact bonds in education in low- and middle-income countries: An evidence review

This report is the first output informed by a systematic review into outcomes-based contracting being undertaken by Ecorys and the Government Outcomes Lab, on the current evidence of impact bonds launched to support education service delivery in L&MICs.

Organisations: World Bank Group, Ecorys, Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Resource | 1 Apr 2022

Engaging in outcomes-based partnerships: Frameworks to support ecosystem and service provider readiness

Read the latest frameworks produced by Social Finance UK and the Government Outcomes Lab on the key conditions and competencies that enable successful delivery of outcomes-based partnerships.

Organisations: Social Finance, Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Want to know more about the state of play of impact bonds? Explore our global interactive map to find out data on impact bonds in their various stages of development and policy areas.

Discover our dataset on impact bonds around the world

Explore

Resource | 17 Mar 2022

Understanding outcomes funds: A guide for practitioners, governments and donors

Read the Government Outcomes Lab's latest guide on outcomes funds, which aims to document and describe outcomes funds around the world and identify lessons for future fund design.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Resource | 3 Mar 2022

Research note: insights from resilient cities

In this briefing, GO Lab's Ian Taylor and Dr Susanne Frick discusses insights from international success stories of cities that bounced back from decline.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Report | 28 Feb 2022

INDIGO Impact Bond Insights - January 2022

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: The Government Outcomes Lab

Evaluation Report | 11 Feb 2022

An introduction to Life Chances Fund projects and their early adaptations to Covid-19

We are delighted to share our interim report from the primary evaluation of the Life Chances Fund (LCF).

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

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

Resource | 16 Dec 2021

Resilience in public service partnerships: evidence from the UK Life Chances Fund

In this Government Outcomes Lab paper, we explore how social impact bonds (SIBs) adapted service delivery and funding mechanisms in response to Covid-19.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Resource | 11 Nov 2021

Hack and Learn Technical and Learning Report - September 2021

Over the summer of 2021, an international group of data and policy enthusiasts came together for a two-week INDIGO Hack and Learn event. This report reflects on the learnings and experiences of the participants.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Research paper | 7 Oct 2021

New development: Rallying together—The rationale for and structure of collaborative practice in England

Based on Government Outcomes Lab's 2019 report "Are we Rallying Together?," this article explores the increasing adoption of collaborative arrangements within local authorities in the UK and asks whether they signal a new era in public service delivery.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Case Study | 6 Oct 2021

Case study: Hémisphère social impact fund, France

This case study offers insights into the development of the The Hémisphère Social Impact Fund, which aims to provide dedicated shelter accommodation for homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers across France.

Organisations: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab), European Investment Bank

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 | 17 Sep 2021

Performance management in social impact bonds: how an outcomes-based approach shapes hybrid partnerships

This paper by former GO Lab colleague Dr Ruth Dixon investigates how outcomes-based performance management regimes operate in the partnerships known as social impact bonds, which bring together partners from the public, private and third sectors.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Template | 10 Sep 2021

Oxford POGO Club - Outcomes Template Draft September 2021 (V2.0)

Organisation: Oxford POGO Club

Resource | 1 Sep 2021

Government Outcomes Lab: The first five years

To celebrate the Government Outcomes Lab 5th anniversary, we published this report, which summarises our journey, challenges and triumphs, and looks at our work to help foster effective cross-sector partnerships with government.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Report | 20 Jul 2021

INDIGO Impact Bond Insights July 2021

The INDIGO Impact Bond Dataset is the most comprehensive publicly available dataset on impact bond projects. Our summer 2021 report provides headline insights and analysis based on the dataset, offering an accessible overview of the global landscape.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

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