Outcomes funds are gaining momentum as an innovative model to finance and deliver a wide range of education services including early childhood care and education, primary education and vocational training.

Unlike traditional financing models, these funds tie payments to the achievement of measurable outcomes - like improvements in literacy skills or job placement and retention - rather than activities or outputs. Often managed in partnership with governments, outcomes funds pool resources from public and private actors, contract multiple service providers, and pay only when pre-agreed outcomes are independently verified.

This short information brief offers a clear, accessible introduction to the outcomes fund model. It's designed for anyone curious about how outcomes-based financing works in education, and how it can support more effective, accountable, and scalable service delivery.

Inside the brief:

• A concise overview of the model
• Key steps and considerations when designing and implementing an outcomes fund
• A case study from Sierra Leone, highlighting lessons learned from an outcomes fund in basic education