Our Approach

Our Theory of Change

We help communities design, test, and scale promising solutions to pressing social problems. We do this by developing and testing overlooked solutions to common challenges. Through rigorous pilots and evaluations, we measure the effectiveness of these solutions and build compelling demonstrations. Once a solution proves to deliver meaningful and measurable improvements in service delivery or resident outcomes, we develop the necessary tools and supports to enable its widespread adoption and facilitate scalable impact.

Our applied research support and technical assistance includes:

Testing New Approaches

As a Harvard Kennedy School-based applied research lab, the GPL designs and tests potential solutions to social service delivery challenges alongside governments. By combining a rigorous academic lens with over a decade of on-the-ground experience in more than 100 communities, the GPL works to improve outcomes for residents where we work and share our learnings widely with others.

Working Directly with Governments

The GPL provides direct, hands-on support to governments on intensive projects focused on improving resident outcomes, such as reducing homelessness, increasing public safety, and preventing child welfare contact. When government agencies and staff have the necessary capacity to address their most pressing problems, they can improve the way they deliver services that matter to residents.

Focusing on Outcomes and Scalable Solutions

The GPL’s work is guided by creating meaningful and measurable changes in people’s lives. This means working with governments to design just and effective service systems as a whole – not just incremental tweaks. Our applied research approach means we have a bias toward action and towards testing solutions in the field to ensure that they can work under the real-world constraints governments face.

Centering People in Designing Solutions

The GPL teaches governments how to design services that work for people by asking. We teach governments how to ask residents the right questions and review service engagement rates to identify pain points and develop effective solutions. When government staff know how to work with community members to improve how public services are delivered, more people can benefit.

Investing in Public Talent

The GPL launches new public and social sector leaders by training GPL staff and providing them with intensive, hands-on experience working with governments. Our alumni put their GPL experience to work as they solve difficult societal problems across a range of government agencies and social sector organizations.