Policy Labs

Supporting co-ordinated government action through policy advice and evidence-based innovation and collaborative design.

Our Methodology

Collaborative Design for Actionable Policy

The Impact Economy Collective supports government through policy labs developed in partnership with our members and hosted by LSE. These collaborative initiatives bring sector leads, together, to help explore the ways in which the impact economy can support government policy.

Our Methodology and Approach

Collaborative Design
We work with government and partners to identify policy challenges where the impact economy can contribute meaningful evidence and actionable evidence.
Cross-sector Expertise
The policy labs draw on the collective knowledge and experience of our members across philanthropy, impact investing, and purpose-driven business.
Evidence-Based Approach
We ensure policy development is grounded in data, evidence, and intervention evaluations, , drawing upon the deep expertise of our members.
Practical Solutions focused on Implementation
The labs focus on developing actionable recommendations, programmes, and initiatives that can be delivered and scaled, nationally.

Policy labs

Policy Lab Focus Areas

We have run successful and impactful policy labs across a range of government priorities including:

Early Years

Early Years Designing and developing innovative approaches to early years support.
Health & Employment

Co-designing initiatives that test new models around health and employment integration.
Place & Communities

Creating place-based platforms where funders, investors, businesses and civil society align around local missions.

Get Involved

Delivering Policy Labs

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Government Departments

We work with government to identify policy challenges where cross-sector collaboration can add value and unlock capital and more effective solutions. Contact us to discuss potential policy lab opportunities.

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Impact Economy Organisations

Our members and wider sector contribute expertise and experience to policy lab development and through participation. We welcome input from organisations across philanthropy, impact investing, and purpose-driven business with ideas for lab co-creation and development.

Ready to Co-Design the Future?

Interested in Exploring a Policy Lab Contribution?

Contact Us

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Official Endorsements

Recognition from UK Government Leaders

"This Government recognises the enormous power of investment, philanthropy, and purpose-driven businesses... We want a new partnership with investors, businesses, and charities."

- Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP,
Culture Secretary

"As we draft the National Cancer Plan, we are acutely conscious that we cannot simply have an NHS, above all, hospital-focused plan. We cannot deal with the sorts of strategic challenges that face cancer in this country without harnessing a broader range of people."

- Tim Jones, Head of Cancer Policy,
Department for Health and Social Care

"I know the potential of the social impact sector has long been untapped, and I welcome the commitment and willingness to work in partnership with businesses, impact investors and philanthropists who have been involved so far. I look forward to working with colleagues across government to unlock billions of pounds worth of investment to better support communities."

- James Murray,
Chief Secretary to the Treasury

"By partnering with impact investors, philanthropists and purpose driven businesses, we can unlock transformational opportunities for communities across the country. This is something I fundamentally believe in – that everyone in our communities, regardless of their background or postcode, deserves the chance to reach their full potential. Working together, we can break down barriers to opportunity and ensure nobody is left behind."

- Lisa Nandy,
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

"Cancer remains one of the biggest killers in this country. One in two of us will be diagnosed with it. Survival is improving, but inequalities are stark. Demand is growing, and we know there is so much more we can do to make an impact in this area. We're excited to do it, but we can't do it alone... Government has a really important role to play. Of course, we set direction, we steward resources, we try to kick things to make them happen, but we don't have all the ideas. Many of the best solutions come from people around the room."

- Kara Towers, Director of Cancer,
Department for Health and Social Care

"The Impact Economy has a role to play in supporting the UK Government's growth mission."

- Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury

"Truly meaningful and long lasting impact is created not from focussing on internal processes in Whitehall, but when government empowers communities – specifically those who know their local area, the people, the problems and the opportunities inside and out… So I’m delighted that the Prime Minister has announced we will be acting on SIIAG’s advice to establish this new Office."

- Darren Jones,
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister

"As a mission led government, we will partner with investors to deliver for Britain... to work together to bring impact investing to our national missions."

- Rt Hon Darren Jones MP,
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister