Day 2 of #SOC24 was a dynamic mix of collaborative sessions, deep dives, and insightful discussions. From community-led talks and global perspectives to a gala celebrating impactful contributions, it was a day full of innovation and inspiration in social outcomes.
We kicked off Day 2 with our new programme, *Croissants and Collaboration*, empowering our communities to lead six informal sessions on topics of shared interest. This was followed by three deep dives: exploring outcomes funds, cross-sector services in fragile settings, and centring data in decision-making.
After a short break, we hosted Share and Learn sessions focused on academic papers and insights from the Life Chances Fund Projects. The afternoon featured deep dives into global perspectives on leading outcomes practice, innovative approaches to locally led development and cross-sector collaboration, and the public sector’s role in relational contracting.
Our final Big Picture session tackled rethinking narratives and institutionalising outcomes. In the early evening, Mayor Andy Burnham of Greater Manchester and Kathy Hall, Chief Operating Officer of the Blavatnik School of Government, discussed the essentials for delivering social change towards a more equal Britain. We wrapped up the conference with a gala, celebrating all the contributions that made #SOC24 a success.
We kicked off Day 2 with six engaging breakfast sessions covering:
Deep Dive 2.1 was an exploration of the latest practice and evidence on outcomes funds. After an overview of the use of outcomes funds in the UK – particularly highlighting the findings coming out of the evaluation of the Commissioning Better Outcomes Fund – there was a discussion of the benefits and disadvantages around the use of outcomes funds. Insights from the management of the EOF Outcomes Fund in Sierra Leone were also shared, and representatives from the Australian Government spoke about their journey to develop the $100 million (AUS) Commonwealth Outcomes Fund.
Deep Dive 2.2 explored the theory and practice of cross-sector collaboration in fragile contexts. Discussions emphasised the need for a new approach that integrates humanitarian, development, and peace efforts through localised, pragmatic, and complex solutions. The focus should be on impact rather than instruments, using anticipatory and risk-based methods with diverse partnerships. Key takeaways included adapting practices to local needs, learning from challenges, and fostering long-term collaboration to improve aid effectiveness. Insights from The Haiti Outcomes for Change Fund were shared by Zachary Levey and Jean Emmanuel Desmornes.
Deep Dive 2.3 showcased several initiatives where data on outcomes plays a crucial role in shaping decisions. Benoit Renard from Tiko shared experiences from Kenya on using data to enhance services. Tomas Bokström from Rise Sweden highlighted the importance of co-creating logic models for effective data use. Valery Wichman presented the Cook Islands' strategy for incorporating dynamic metrics to measure happiness, while Dr. Sabina Alkire from the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative discussed multidimensional poverty metrics for tracking and celebrating progress in poverty reduction. These presentations emphasised practical data use in local governance and long-term planning, with a focus on simplicity and relevance in data collection. Dr. Julia Mensink from Acumen reminded us, “If you don’t use it, lose it!”
Concurrent Share and Learn sessions were held on two key topics: academic papers and learning from the Life Chances Fund.
The Academic Paper workshop was an interactive session where participants could engage with peers and receive detailed feedback on their research. Professor Ole Petersen, editor of JPART, offered valuable tips for academic publication before facilitating one-on-one discussions.
The Life Chances Fund session delved into the experiences of social outcomes partnerships supported by the fund. The discussion highlighted the importance of a local focus, selecting appropriate outcome metrics, and planning for long-term sustainability from the outset. Speakers stressed the need for clear sustainability plans, additional resources, early stakeholder engagement, learning from proven models, and effective internal communication. Rigorous research was also emphasised to understand various exit and sustainability pathways as the fund progresses.
After lunch, we moved into the final set of concurrent deep dive sessions. Deep Dive 2.4 focused on pioneering initiatives in social outcomes partnerships worldwide. The discussion highlighted the importance of establishing standards in the private sector while also emphasising the need for flexibility and adaptation in service activities and technical roles. Christopher Gee from The Institute of Policy Studies underscored the value of connecting ground-level experiences with micro-level objectives, noting, “From the ground, from the bottom-up, you start hearing people’s stories. You learn the human side... learn the human stories... otherwise you are replicating the same asymmetries of power.”
Deep Dive 2.5 explored innovative strategies for empowering local communities, engaging service users and vulnerable groups, and enhancing cross-sector collaborations for sustainable development and social impact. Speakers highlighted the transformative potential of person-centred, strengths-based approaches, the necessity of localised funding and community trust, and the importance of clear outcomes and robust data mechanisms. An audience member insightfully remarked, “I believe how we do the work is as important as the work we do.”
Deep Dive 2.6 focused on the role of the public sector in formal relational contracts. The discussion examined the specific challenges associated with public sector involvement in these contracts and the capabilities needed to address them. Relational contracting is essential as it overcomes the limitations of traditional contracts by fostering long-term partnerships and adaptive problem-solving. Training for public procurement officers is vital to develop these relational skills and shift towards a collaborative mindset. Justine Le Floch from IAE Paris Sorbonne highlighted failures in contract management and oversight in the French water sector, stressing the need for greater transparency, proactive management, and stakeholder engagement. Jonathan Ng from USAID noted that relational grant-making—akin to relational contracting—is valuable as it supports shared goals through inherently relational grants.
Our final Big Picture session gathered some of the field's leading experts to tackle the question: how can we move beyond pilot projects and harness the full potential of outcomes-based funding for large-scale social and environmental change? Chaired by Andreea Anastasiu, Executive Director at GO Lab, the session explored what institutionalising outcomes means for the panellists and their organisations.
Radana Toner from FCDO discussed the challenges of replicating outcomes funds despite institutional backing. Nicole Pflock from Instiglio highlighted the gradual process of institutionalising outcomes-based funding and the need for a structured framework to scale.
Dr Amel Karboul from EOF stressed the importance of comparing outcomes funds to the status quo, noting, “I want to be compared to the status quo, not some ideal that doesn’t exist.” Raffaella De Felice from GSG Impact emphasised the need to shift political narratives to gain support for outcomes-based approaches.
Aneta Wierzynska from The Global Fund reminded us of the importance of effectiveness and posed a compelling question: “Why is it so easy to do the wrong thing and so damn hard to do the right thing?”
We wrapped up the conference with a compelling public talk titled “Power to People and Places: What Does It Take to Deliver Social Change for a More Equal Britain?” Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, joined Kathy Hall, Chief Operating Officer of the Blavatnik School, for an insightful conversation.
Mayor Burnham, with his deep well of public service experience, passionately argued for a shift from top-down to bottom-up approaches in achieving social change. He called for political reform that empowers local communities, stressing that while English devolution has made strides, it’s not a cure-all. “English devolution has provided a bridgehead, but we’re not so arrogant as to think we have all the answers,” he noted. His talk underscored the need for collaborative efforts to tackle common challenges and create a more equitable society.