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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

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

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374 results

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Reset

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

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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

Webinar | 9 Mar 2022

| Engaging with Evidence | Results and learnings from the Village Enterprise Development Impact Bond

This Engaging with Evidence session explored insights from the Village Enterprise Development Impact Bond, a poverty alleviation project in Uganda and Kenya. Watch the recording here.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Evaluation Report | 8 Mar 2022

Village Enterprise Development Impact Bond Evaluation Findings

Read IDindight's report on the results of the evaluation of the Village Enterprise poverty graduation program, conducted in Kenya and Uganda between November 2017 and December 2020.

Organisation: IDinsight

Resource | 7 Mar 2022

The Zero HIV Social Impact Bond: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

This report is the second in-depth review of the Zero HIV SIB. Its focus is entirely on the impact on the SIB of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 and early 2021.

Organisation: ATQ Consultants

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)

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

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)

Webinar | 31 Jan 2022

| Engaging with Evidence | Outcomes-based funding in education: Assessing cost effectiveness and accountability

For this Engaging with Evidence webinar session, where explored the use of outcomes-based funding within education interventions in low-income contexts. Watch the recording here.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

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)

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 | 16 Dec 2021

Maternal Health Care Quality Improvement in Rajasthan, India: A Series of Insights from a Development Impact Bond Verification Agent

This endline report on the quality of maternal health care from the Utkrisht Development Impact Bond (DIB) includes a series of standalone briefs to enable readers to choose the specific aspect of the DIB to learn about (endnotes for each brief appear

Organisation: Mathematica

Resource | 15 Dec 2021

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

This Ecorys case study report focuses on the model and early successes and lessons learned during the design, set up and early implementation of the Quality Education India Development Impact Bond (QEI DIB).

Organisation: Ecorys

Resource | 14 Dec 2021

ICRC Humanitarian Impact Bond (HIB): A case study produced as part of the FCDO DIBs pilot Evaluation

This Ecory's case study compiles the findings from the ICRC Humanitarian Impact Bond for Physical Rehabilitation, which funds the building of three new physical rehabilitation centres in Mali, Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Organisation: Ecorys

Resource | 13 Dec 2021

Cameroon Cataract Bond: A case study produced as part of the Cameroon Cataract Bond Evaluation

Read this in-depth review, which is part of a series produced as part of an evaluation of the Cameroon Cataract Bond and the DFID DIBs pilot programme undertaken by Ecorys.

Organisation: Ecorys

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