GenderUp: Scaling Agricultural Innovations Responsibly to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

Existing scaling support methodologies often fail to consider the socially differentiated impacts, including gender effects, of innovation uptake. To address this gap, GenderUp was developed as a conversational tool to enhance the inclusivity, reflexivity, and responsiveness of scaling initiatives. GenderUp employs a five-stage process facilitated by trained facilitators, guiding teams through discussions, learning activities, and practical integration to create socially responsible scaling strategies. The tool’s effectiveness is evaluated through pre-post surveys, content analysis, and team discussions.

Although GenderUp is a relatively new tool and its long-term impacts are yet to be fully realized, initial results show that innovation teams have become more aware of diverse user groups, particularly those facing barriers or negative repercussions. This awareness has led to the development of more socially responsible scaling strategies that include mitigating activities. The GenderUp team continues to monitor the impacts of these activities on innovation users, primarily farmers.

While GenderUp has been largely successful, it requires further internal scaling to improve accessibility and training content. This ongoing review process has enhanced the tool’s website, resources, and management processes. GenderUp contributes to the global prioritization of gender and social equity by systematizing the consideration of social differentiation within agricultural innovation and scaling teams, ultimately leading to improved social outcomes.