The OECD, together with the Outcomes Finance Alliance (OFA), is co-developing shared guidance on outcomes-based financing (OBF). We invite governments, development partners, the private sector, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to help shape it through this public consultation.
What we are developing
Outcomes-based financing is understood as a family of approaches, not a single instrument. The guidance does not promote OBF as a universal solution. Its purpose is to provide a shared language around OBF and help define when OBF is useful and when it is not, what minimum standards and safeguards should apply, and how institutions can move from pilots to responsible, scalable practice.
Drawing on the OECD evidence base (OECD Working Paper No. 119), OBF is defined by three core features:
The results to be achieved are specified and agreed before delivery begins.
At least part of the funding is conditional on achieving the agreed outcomes.
Results are independently verified before the related funding is disbursed.
A short, stand-alone document for ministers, directors-general, funders and agency leadership, setting out the value proposition of OBF and the core principles of good practice.
A practical “how-to” manual for outcome funders, technical teams and practitioners, covering both institutional adoption and mainstreaming, and operational design and delivery, with supporting annexes.
How the guidance is being developed
The guidance is being co-created through a consultative process running through 2026, with a first edition expected by the end of 2026. Consultation is considered just as important as the final product: those who will use the Principles and Playbook are centrally involved in shaping them.
The guidance draws on several complementary channels. Most bring together invited partners at different points in the process; the open public consultation is the channel through which anyone can contribute.
Senior steer on direction and priorities at each milestone.
Practical scrutiny by development partners and partner governments.
Input from the wider practitioner community convened through the OFA.
Testing draft sections with stakeholders, including at events such as the OFA Summit in Cape Town and in bilateral and group sessions.
Written feedback on the draft annotated outline — open to all interested individuals and organisations.
Get involved
We welcome feedback on the draft annotated outline of the Principles Brief and Playbook — on its scope, structure, potential gaps, and usability in practice across different sectors and country contexts.
Review the proposed structure and content of the Principles Brief and Playbook before sharing your views.
Open the draft outline →Submit your comments through the online consultation form. Contributions from individuals and organisations are equally welcome.
Open the consultation form →Questions
Who is involved
The Advisory Council brings together governments, development partners, multilateral institutions and foundations that provide strategic steering of the process.
