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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.

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Resource library

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368 results

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Reset

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

Evaluation Report | 1 Aug 2022

Evaluation of the Aspire Social Impact Bond: Final Report

This report outlines the findings of an evaluation of the Aspire program and social impact bond (SIB) in Adelaide, South Australia (SA).

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

Report | 7 Jul 2022

2022 Impact Bonds Working Group - Project Pipeline report

This report presents a list of upcoming outcomes projects and funds that are being designed in low and middle income countries.

Organisation: Levoca

Evaluation Report | 4 Jul 2022

North-West London End of Life Care Telemedicine Project first in-depth review

This report is the first in-depth review of the North-West London Telemedicine Project as part of the Commissioning Better Outcomes Evaluation.

Organisations: Ecorys, ATQ Consultants

Evaluation Report | 4 Jul 2022

Foyer Central Social Impact Bond Evaluation 2022

This report is the first iteration of an evaluation by EY of the Foyer Central Programme, funded through the Foyer Central Social Impact Bond

Organisation: Ernst & Young (EY)

LCF project-led evaluation | 1 Jul 2022

Chances. Year 2 Interim Evaluation Report

This report is the second year interim evaluation report of Chances project.

Organisation: Substance

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

LCF project-led evaluation | 1 Jul 2022

Evaluation of Parent Child+ in England, 2019-2025. Interim Report

This is the interim report from the evaluation of the Parent Child+ programme’s delivery in England. The programme runs for about 15 months and consists of 46 weeks of twice-weekly visits (92 visits).

Organisation: Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick

Evaluation Report | 23 Jun 2022

Commissioning Better Outcomes Evaluation 3rd Update Report

This report is the third Update Report of the independent Commissioning Better Outcomes Fund Evaluation, undertaken by Ecorys in partnership with ATQ Consultants.

Organisations: Ecorys, ATQ Consultants

Report | 21 Jun 2022

Outcomes For All: 10 Years of Social Outcomes Contracts

This report has been written by Big Society Capital to share data and insights on the Social Outcomes Contracts (SOC) market in the UK over the last ten years.

Organisation: Big Society Capital

Report | 15 Jun 2022

The value created by social outcomes contracts in the UK

This report provides an assessment of the total public value so far created by Social Outcomes Contracts in the UK

Organisations: ATQ Consultants, Big Society Capital

Explore our in-depth collection of case studies on impact bonds and other outcomes-based approaches around the world.

Case studies

Explore

Report | 13 Jun 2022

Commissioning Better Outcomes - Awards from July 2013 to May 2022

LCF project-led evaluation | 7 Jun 2022

Interim Evaluation of The Skill Mill SIB

Skill Mill offers an intensive six-month work experience programme designed to help vulnerable young people break the cycle of re-offending. This report is an interim evaluation of the Skill Mill SIB.

Organisation: Policy Evaluation & Research Unit (PERU)

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)

Evaluation Report | 24 May 2022

Evaluation of the Resolve Program - Final Interim Report

This is the Interim Report for the evaluation of the Resolve Social Benefit Bond which provides an innovative mental health service which blends psycho-social and clinical services to support people living with severe and persistent mental health issues

Organisation: Urbis

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

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)

Evaluation Report | 29 Apr 2022

Reconnections Social Impact Bond

This report is the second in-depth review of Reconnections, the first SIB in England aimed at reducing loneliness and social isolation.

Organisation: Ecorys

Webinar | 6 Apr 2022

| Engaging with Evidence | Ecosystem readiness for outcomes-based partnerships: key conditions, capacities and characteristics

For this Engaging with Evidence webinar session, we explored the conditions and competencies that enable successful delivery of outcomes-based partnerships.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

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