Designing an Outcomes Fund
- Apr 20
- 2 min read
A practical guide from EOF and the Global Schools Forum
Outcomes funds offer a practical way for governments and funders to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of public spending. By tying payments to outcomes, they shift accountability towards what matters: outcomes. This tool gives implementers the flexibility to adapt their approach to local needs and continuously improve as they learn what works. It is particularly well-suited to tackling persistent challenges that haven't responded to traditional funding models. In sectors like education, outcomes funds can be particularly effective in driving measurable improvements in learning outcomes.Â
This new brief fills the gap between introductory concepts and technical design manuals, offering practical insights into the design process - from clarifying the problem and selecting outcomes, to working through the mechanics of pricing and evaluation. It is focused on policy prescriptive outcomes funds, while many recommendations apply more broadly to other outcomes-based financing tools such as impact bonds.Â
The brief draws on EOF's experience completing the design of six outcomes funds across basic education, early childhood care and education (ECCE) and skills for employment - each shaped by a country's unique priorities and capacities. Rather than offering a singular "EOF way", it reflects what we have learned through real-world experiences. Many of the lessons shared are not unique to education, nor to a single tool. They reflect a deeper shift towards outcome-oriented thinking and practice.Â
 Who it is for?
Government officials, implementers, funders, and members of the GSF network and broader global ecosystem looking to go deeper on outcomes fund design
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How to use it?
For those seeking a practical overview on designing outcomes funds, read it end to endÂ
For those with greater technical curiosity, explore additional detail and examples via embedded pop-ups throughout.Â
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