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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.

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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Featured publication

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)

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

LCF project-led evaluation | 1 Apr 2023

Evaluation of the WDP IPS Into Work Service

This evaluation examines the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Into Work Service for unemployed 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

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

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

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)

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)

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

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)

Evaluation report | 1 Dec 2022

Village Enterprise Development Impact Bond: A case study produced as part of the FCDO DIBs pilot evaluation

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

Evaluation report | 1 Dec 2022

ICRC Humanitarian Impact Bond: A case study produced as part of the FCDO DIBs pilot evaluation

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

Evaluation report | 1 Dec 2022

Quality Education Development Impact Bond: A case study produced as part of the FCDO DIBs pilot evaluation

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

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

Video | 2 Nov 2022

West London Zone and Positive Families Partnership - Commissioning Better Outcomes Fund

This event brought together stakeholders from the Commissioning Better Outcomes (CBO) Fund Programmes to mark the end of the programme and share the learnings and experiences from the implementation of CBO-supported projects

Organisation: Ecorys

Webinar | 19 Oct 2022

| Engaging with Evidence | Insights from the UK's Commissioning Better Outcomes Evaluation

For this engaging with evidence webinar session, we explored the latest findings from the evaluation of the UK's Commissioning Better Outcomes (CBO) Fund.

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

Practical guide | 6 Oct 2022

Social Outcomes Contracting in Europe: A Procurement Guide

This report focuses on practical issues related to the interplay of public contracting rules and social outcomes contracts in Europe

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

Video | 9 Sep 2022

How to get the most of the Impact Bond Dataset

Curious to know more about our Impact Bond Dataset? Here's a video explainer

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

Conference Session | 9 Sep 2022

| SOC22 | Academic Symposium: Governance & institutional logics in outcomes-focused partnerships

On the second day of the Social Outcomes Conference 2022, we held an academic symposium on governance & institutional logics in outcomes-focused partnerships.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Conference Session | 9 Sep 2022

| SOC22 | Roundtable: Evidence & practical insights from the UK's Life Chances Fund projects

On the second day of the Social Outcomes Conference 2022, we held a rountable that looked at the progress of the projects commissioned under the UK's Life Chances Fund.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Conference Session | 9 Sep 2022

| SOC22 | Roundtable: Measuring what matters in outcomes-based partnerships

On the second day of the Social Outcomes Conference 2022, we held a rountable that looked at measuring what matters in outcomes-based partnerships

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

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