The Impact Bond Dataset

A Tool to Investigate Socially Motivated Cross-Sector Partnerships

Authors

  • Eleanor Carter Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5774-7728
  • Juliana Outes Velarde Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
  • Ozioma Paul Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
  • J. Ruairi Macdonald Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0154-8978
  • Mara Airoldi Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1163/24523666-bja10043

Keywords:

outcome-based contracting, social impact bond, payment-by-results, data collaborative

Abstract

The indigo Impact Bond Dataset is an open-access dataset that describes a specific form of impact-focused cross-sector partnership adopted worldwide since 2010. These partnerships are data-rich in principle, yet historically, little data is shared and re-used. The dataset is the result of an engaged, collaborative process where different organisations involved in impact bond projects share data with the indigo initiative data stewards so that practitioners and researchers can analyse and learn from these research data journal for the humanities and social sciences 9 (2024) 1–14 partnerships. This article introduces the dataset in terms of scope, data collection methods, and data model. The authors provide descriptive summaries of the current landscape and demonstrate a practical application of the dataset. In closing, they discuss future avenues for research and dataset development, as well as the limitations of working with a collaborative approach.

Author Biographies

  • Eleanor Carter, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK



  • Juliana Outes Velarde, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK



  • Ozioma Paul , Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
    ozioma.paul@bsg.ox.ac.uk

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Published

2025-10-10

Issue

Vol. 9 (2024)

Section

Data Papers

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Licensing information can be found here.

How to Cite

The Impact Bond Dataset: A Tool to Investigate Socially Motivated Cross-Sector Partnerships. (2025). Research Data Journal for the Humanities and Social Sciences, 9, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1163/24523666-bja10043