Across the globe, governments, nonprofit organisations, and philanthropic actors increasingly experiment with outcomes-oriented approaches for the design and delivery of public services. Under the broader umbrella of Outcomes-Based Contracts (OBCs), a variety of instruments and formats has emerged. Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) have been one early and visible example, alongside related models such as Pay-for-Success (PFS), Payment-by-Results (PbR), development impact bonds (DIBs), and other hybrid or locally adapted models. Although diverse in design, these approaches share a common logic: linking financial resources to measurable outcomes, prioritising results over inputs, and fostering new forms of collaboration across public, nonprofit, and private actors.

These developments have sparked a debate among policymakers, public managers, nonprofit organisations, investors, and researchers about the potential of OBCs to address societal issues, as well as their limitations, risks, and unintended consequences. At the same time, the adoption, design, and governance of OBCs vary considerably across countries. The next edition of the OBC Workshop builds on these discussions by bringing together diverse perspectives to explore the development, current state, and future of OBCs in Europe and beyond

Workshop Format

Following successful workshop editions at Audencia Business School in Nantes (2023), King’s Business School in London (2024), and Politecnico di Milano (2025), the 2026 Outcomes-Based Contracts Workshop hosted by the Center for Social Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation, WU Vienna offers a forum for researchers, practitioners and policymakers to advance conversations around OBCs in Europe and beyond.

This two-day workshop invites paper contributions that address the design, implementation, governance, evaluation, or wider issues related to OBCs. We welcome comparative perspectives, empirical and theoretical work, and interdisciplinary approaches that enhance understanding of the development, current state, and future of OBCs.

The workshop is open to researchers from all career stages and disciplines, and we warmly encourage practitioners and policymakers to share their experiences and insights. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with researchers, experts, receive constructive feedback, build collaborations, and contribute to ongoing debates on OBCs.

Academic Committee

Benjamin Le Pendeven, Maya Tira (Audencia Business School), Clare J FitzGerald, Alec Fraser (Kings College London), Inelda Tafoska, Tommaso Tropeano (Politecnico di Milano), Reinhard Millner, Antonia Muhr (WU Vienna University of Economics and Business)

Hosting Organisation

The Center for Social Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation (SESI) at WU Vienna focuses on advancing research, education, and practice around entrepreneurial solutions to social and environmental challenges. It brings together scholars, students, and practitioners to explore how innovative business models can generate positive societal impact. The Center also engages closely with external partners such as social enterprises, nonprofits, foundations, investors, and public institutions. Thereby, it serves as a hub at WU Vienna for fostering impact-driven innovation and shaping more sustainable and inclusive economies.