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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

Publications 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.

Home Knowledge bank Resource library

Resource library

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368 results

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Reset

Research paper | 30 Aug 2024

Evidence Review of Outcomes Based Finance for Early Childhood Care and Education

This evidence review synthesises 22 documented OBF4ECCE experiences, augmented by expert interviews and stakeholder input, to present current knowledge and identify critical gaps for future program and research design.

Organisations: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab), NORRAG, the Global Education Centre of the Geneva Graduate Institute, Ecorys

Resource | 27 Aug 2024

INDIGO Impact Bond Insights Report - August 2024

INDIGO is a data and learning collaborative where different organisations share their data on a voluntary basis with the aim of creating a series of open data assets and advancing our understanding of outcomes-based contracting.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Research paper | 2 Aug 2024

The Impact Bond Dataset: A Tool to Investigate Socially Motivated Cross-Sector Partnerships

This article introduces the INDIGO dataset, covering its scope, data collection, and data model, along with its practical uses, future research potential, and the challenges of collaborative development.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Resource | 29 Jul 2024

Oxford POGO Club - Letter to the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office

This is a letter from 40 organisations and individual participants of the Oxford Procurement of Government Outcomes Club (Oxford POGO Club) to the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office, Georgia Gould, MP

Organisation: Oxford POGO Club

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

Evaluation Report | 1 Jul 2024

HCT Independent Travel Training Social Impact Bond

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

Evaluation Report | 17 Jun 2024

Doncaster’s Alternative Provision (Big Picture Doncaster and Vega College) Evaluation

This report, commissioned by City of Doncaster Council, is an evaluation of the Big Picture Learning (BPL) service, part funded by the LCF.

Report | 3 Jun 2024

Hack and Learn Technical and Learning Report - March 2024

This report reflects on the learnings and experiences of the participants of the INDIGO Hack and Learn event that took place in March 2024. Participants include attendees that participated in the team, challenge leaders (team leaders) and co-hosts

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Evaluation Report | 3 Jun 2024

Reducing Youth Reoffending in South Auckland Social Bond pilot: Quantitative Impact Evaluation

This quantitative impact evaluation assesses the impact of the only social impact bond successfully launched to date in New Zealand, the Reducing Youth Reoffending in South Auckland Social Bonds Pilot.

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

Evaluation Report | 1 May 2024

The value created by social outcomes contracts in the UK – updated analysis and report

This report, carried out by ATQ and commissioned by Better Society Capital, provides an assessment of the total public value so far created by Social Outcomes Contracts in the UK.

Report | 10 Apr 2024

Beyond impact bonds: varieties of outcomes-based contracts around the world

The purpose of this report is to explore a variety of outcomes-based contracts to inform a discussion with ecosystem actors on how to develop a useful, expanded data collaborative that can gather information and share insights on these approaches.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Evaluation Report | 1 Apr 2024

The Zero HIV Social Impact Bond: Final In-depth review

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

Resource | 28 Mar 2024

Understanding outcomes-readiness: What are the structural factors influencing the launch of impact bond projects

This report aims to shed light on the factors influencing the probability of whether an impact bond is successfully launched.

Organisation: 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

Evaluation Report | 15 Jan 2024

Reconnections Social Impact Bond: Final In-depth review

This final in-depth review of the Reconnections Social Impact Bond is produced as part of the independent Commissioning Better Outcomes evaluation, and undertaken by Rachel Wooldridge and Tim Fox

Evaluation Report | 18 Dec 2023

Reduction in Youth Reoffending in South Auckland Social Impact Bond: Final in depth review

This the final in-depth review of the Reducing Youth Reoffending in South Auckland Social Impact Bond

Evaluation Report | 18 Dec 2023

Outcomes of the Genesis Social Bond Programme

This report explores if the Genesis Social Bond Programme improved outcomes for Rangatahi and young people at risk of reoffending

Evaluation Report | 11 Dec 2023

Reducing Youth Offending Social Bond Pilot Process Evaluation

This report is a process evaluation of the Social Bond Pilot to reduce the frequency and severity of youth reoffending.

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

Resource | 6 Dec 2023

Hack and Learn Technical and Learning Report - September 2023

This report reflects on the learnings and experiences of the participants of the September 2023 INDIGO Hack and Learn.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Evaluation Report | 20 Nov 2023

Mental Health and Employment Partnership (MHEP): Final in-depth review

This final in-depth review of the Mental Health and Employment Partnerships 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

Webinar | 2 Nov 2023

| Engaging with Evidence | Understanding the DIB effect. Insights from the evaluation of the FCDO Development Impact Bonds Pilot Programmes

For this engaging with evidence webinar session, we explored the findings of the third wave of the independent evaluation of the FCDO Development Impact Bonds (DIBs) Pilot Programme.

Organisation: The Government Outcomes Lab

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