Project Oracle was born to address a gap in understanding about which youth projects work and why. A hub of evidence for use by providers, commissioners and policymakers, it helps to ensure money is well spent to improve outcomes for young people in London.

The organisation has expanded the scope and diversity of its work since last appearing in these pages – spreading the model nationwide and abroad, and working more intensively with particular sub-sets of the sector. Its uniqueness stems from an insistence on a sector-wide, sector-led approach offering the best way to ensure sustainable good practice.

Budgets are tight and organisations dependent for their survival on the ability to attract funds are under mounting pressure to explain how their money is spent.