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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.

OBF and ECCE Resource Hub

A curated collection of practical tools, guidance, and evidence for designing, implementing, and evaluating outcomes-based financing in early childhood care and education

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.

Advice sessions

Book an advice session with the GO Lab to get one on one support from experts

Home Knowledge bank Resource library

Resource library

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Reset

Webinar | 14 Jun 2021

| Engaging with Evidence | Resilience in outcomes-based partnerships and key considerations for Covid-19 recovery

For the sixth session of our Engaging with Evidence series, we brought together academic and practitioner perspectives to reflect on the role of outcomes-based financing and impact bonds in building resilient services during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Practical guide | 26 May 2021

Buying Social - a guide to taking account of social considerations in public procurement

Socially responsible public procurement (SRPP) is about achieving positive social outcomes in public procurement. This report seeks to raise public buyers’ awareness of the potential benefits of SRPP and opportunities offered by the EU legal framework.

Organisation: European Commission

Report | 26 May 2021

Review of the Sticking Together Project - Final Report, Prepared for the NSW Department of Education May 2021

This report is the Final Review of the Sticking Together Project (STP) for the NSW Government

Organisation: Urbis

Webinar | 20 May 2021

| Engaging with Evidence | Insights from the development of social outcomes contracts in Europe

For this Engaging with Evidence session, we took stock of the state of play of social outcomes contracts in Europe and discussed with policymakers and other leading experts how and when this instrument can best be used to help address social issues.

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

Resource | 19 May 2021

Social outcomes contracting in Europe

The introductory guide to social outcomes contracting in the EU provides practical advice for policymakers and practitioners interested in the adoption of outcomes-based approaches, and examples from emergent practice across Europe.

Organisations: European Investment Bank, The Government Outcomes Lab

Webinar | 19 May 2021

| Engaging with Evidence | Understanding outcomes funds around the world

For the fourth session of our Engagement with Evidence series, we hosted an online session on the global landscape of outcomes funds.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Evaluation Report | 12 May 2021

The use of social impact bonds in children’s social care: A comparative analysis of project justifications and design considerations in the Life Chances Fund

This Government Outcomes Lab publication summarises the key findings of a report into seven children’s social care projects commissioned through social impact bonds (SIBs), with top-up outcomes funding provided by DCMS.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Evaluation Report | 4 May 2021

Evaluation of the impact of Stronger Families, Functional Family Therapy in Suffolk: Draft Interim Report

Evaluation of the impact of Stronger Families, Functional Family Therapy in Suffolk: Draft Interim Report, authored by Georgina Cowen has been published.

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

Resource | 1 May 2021

The Cameroon Kangaroo Mother Care DIB: Part two lessons from outcomes based delivery

LCF project-led evaluation | 1 May 2021

Pause Plymouth Evaluation: Community One - Interim Report

This evaluation gathers evidence and findings on the impact of the Pause Plymouth programme, which supports women who have experienced, or are at risk of, multiple child removals.

Organisation: SERIO, University of Plymouth

Resource | 22 Apr 2021

Hack and Learn Technical and Learning Report - March 2021

This report reflects on the learnings and experiences of the March 2021 INDIGO Hack and Learn event. Participants, challenge leaders and co-host representatives each provide a valuable perspective to offer on the strengths and weaknesses of the sessions.

Evaluation Report | 22 Apr 2021

Positive Families Partnership Social Outcomes Contract: An Indepth Review

This in-depth review provides an overview of the design and development of the Positive Families Partnership (PFP) Social Outcomes Contract (SOC) which aims to help families stay together and prevent young people going into care.

Organisations: ATQ Consultants, Ecorys

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

Case studies

Explore

Research paper | 14 Apr 2021

Outcome-Based Financing for Service Delivery: with key considerations for the recovery from COVID-19

This paper explores whether and how outcomes-based financing can contribute to overcoming the enduring service financing and delivery challenges, while also supporting long-term rebuild and resilience in the context of COVID-19.

Organisations: Global Partnership for Results-Based Approaches, World Bank Group

Webinar | 17 Mar 2021

| Engaging with Evidence | Lessons from the world's first development impact bond for maternal health

Watch the third session of our Engaging with Evidence webinar series, where we explored new evidence and insights from the world's first development impact bond for maternal health, the Utkrisht Impact Bond.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

POGO | 10 Mar 2021

Oxford POGO Club - Response to Green Paper on Transforming Public Procurement

Read the POGO Club's response to the UK Government's Green Paper on Transforming Public Procurement. It addresses four broad themes for procurement reform: culture, outcomes, transparency, and learning.

Organisation: Oxford POGO Club

Evaluation Report | 9 Mar 2021

West London Zone Collective Impact Bond - Second In-Depth Review

Read this in-depth review of the West London Zone Collective Impact Bond, which aims to improve the lives of young people in West London.

Organisations: Ecorys, ATQ Consultants

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 | 1 Mar 2021

The Cameroon Kangaroo Mother Care DIB: Lessons from delivery for scale

Read this Social Finance review of lessons learnt from the delivery of Kangaroo Mother-care roll-out in Cameroon and lessons from outcomes-based programme delivery using a DIB structure

Organisation: Social Finance

Webinar | 23 Feb 2021

| Engaging with Evidence | Lessons from the FCDO development impact bonds pilot programme

Watch our second Engagement with Evidence webinar session to hear about new evidence and insights from four Development Impact Bonds (DIBs) across Africa and Asia.

Organisation: Government Outcomes Lab (GO Lab)

Evaluation Report | 16 Feb 2021

Full report: Findings from the second research wave of the Independent Evaluation of the FCDO Development Impact Bonds Pilot Programme

Organisations: Ecorys, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

Evaluation Report | 12 Feb 2021

Summary report: Findings from the second research wave of the Independent Evaluation of the FCDO Development Impact Bonds Pilot Programme

Organisations: Ecorys, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

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