Today development partners are under strong pressure to demonstrate the results achieved through development co-operation. Results-based funding is one major attempt to respond to this pressure by reshaping the delivery instruments and relationships between development partners. Results-based funding (such as results based aid, program for results, payment by results, variable performance tranches in budget support etc.) involves establishing a mechanism through which a funder pays an agent for achieving pre-defined results. Many development actors - including multilateral and bilateral agencies as well as foundations – are now piloting and implementing results-based funding modalities. As lessons are emerging from these experiences and a number of development agencies are considering exploring such mechanisms, it is a very timely moment to take stock. 

The workshop provided an opportunity for development practitioners and experts to discuss results-based funding mechanisms focusing on early lessons in design and implementation. Moreover, the workshop facilitated knowledge exchange on how to focus on results while upholding the principles of effectiveness, ownership and harmonisation.