New to outcomes-based contracting? Here are some jargon-free introductions to the various types of approaches
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.
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.
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
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
Interested in designing and managing outcomes-based projects? We have prepared some tools and guidance to help
Developed in consultation with a wide range of practitioners to support projects being established under the UK Government’s Life Chances Fund.
We have a range of guidance to support you develop impact bonds, from setting and measuring outcomes, to awarding the contract and pricing outcomes.
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.
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.
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.
Helping commissioners and providers to take a formal-relational approach to delivering complex public services.
Connect with others through our global directory, read the latest blogs, join our events and more.
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
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.
What happens to equity when funding is tied to measurable outcomes? We explore this question in our webinar on Outcomes-Based Financing in Early Childhood Care and Education, held in partnership with the Education Outcomes Fund
Last updated 6 Apr 2026, 9 a.m.
Jess Reedy has been seconded to the UK Government to help shape strategic engagement for the new Office for the Impact Economy, strengthening how government partners with the impact economy
Last updated 24 Mar 2026, 10 a.m.
Our Social Outcomes Conference 2026 call for contributions has now closed. Thank you to everyone who made a submission
Last updated 11 Mar 2026, noon
Thank you to everyone who joined this year's Social Outcomes Conference. We were blown away by the excellent quality of discussions both online and in-person. Here's an overview of all the sessions for Day 2 of SOC22.
Last updated 13 Sep 2022, 2:34 p.m.
Here's an overview of all the sessions and the recordings for Day 1 of the hybrid Social Outcomes Conference 2022. We're delighted to have hosted our conference both online and in-person this year.
Last updated 12 Sep 2022, 5:30 p.m.
We are now accepting nominations for next year’s GO Lab Visiting Fellows of Practice programme.
Last updated 9 Aug 2022, 1:14 p.m.
Check out August's global Impact Bond Dataset snapshot. We are delighted to share our newer and more user-friendly snapshot design, which makes accessing those key data updates all the easier.
Last updated 8 Aug 2022, 10 a.m.
Check out July's global Impact Bond Dataset snapshot. We are delighted to share our newer and more user-friendly snapshot design, which makes accessing those key data updates all the easier.
Last updated 12 Jul 2022, 10 a.m.
The partnership between the GO Lab and CIFF will support the formation of a network of Data Stewards around the world.
Last updated 11 Jul 2022, 10 a.m.
Check out June's global Impact Bond Dataset snapshot. We are delighted to share our newer and more user-friendly snapshot design, which makes accessing those key data updates all the easier.
Last updated 7 Jun 2022, 10 a.m.
Check out May's global Impact Bond Dataset snapshot. We are delighted to share our newer and more user-friendly snapshot design, which makes accessing those key data updates all the easier.
Last updated 9 May 2022, 9 a.m.
Check out April's global Impact Bond Dataset snapshot. We are delighted to share our newer and more user-friendly snapshot design, which makes accessing those key data updates all the easier.
Last updated 1 Apr 2022, 9 a.m.
The INDIGO team is reviewing the Impact Bond Dataset data definitions and would like to give you the opportunity to provide feedback on them. Do you feel strongly about particular variables? Can you think of better ways to define them?
Last updated 22 Mar 2022, 8 p.m.