At Responsible Innovations, we believe that scaling innovation is not just about reaching more people; it’s about reaching the right people and in the right ways. Too often, innovations scale up quickly but unevenly, reinforcing existing inequalities rather than addressing them. GenderUp was developed to help change that.
GenderUp is a practical, facilitation-based methodology that supports innovation teams to reflect, adapt, and act with gender equity embedded in their work. Rather than treating gender as a compliance checkbox, GenderUp helps teams integrate equity into innovation design, scaling pathways, and decision-making processes, moving from intention to implementation.
A recent CGIAR-funded evaluation highlights the growing reach and relevance of this approach. GenderUp has been used by 38 organizations across 20 countries, engaging more than 200 practitioners working in diverse roles and institutions. Adoption has been particularly strong in regions where inclusive scaling is most urgent:
- East Africa: 27%
- South Asia: 27%
- Southern Africa: 16%
Importantly, participants have been approximately 60% women and 40% men, reinforcing that gender-responsive innovation is not a women’s issue, but a shared responsibility.
What GenderUp Changes in Practice
Across contexts, GenderUp has supported measurable shifts in how teams approach innovation and scaling:
Shifting mindsets. Teams move from viewing gender as a donor requirement to recognizing it as central to effective innovation. Gender considerations begin shaping how problems are defined and how solutions are designed.
Expanding reach to marginalized communities. In countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi, teams have adjusted strategies to better reach excluded groups, improving relevance, uptake, and sustainability.
Influencing resource allocation. GenderUp has strengthened internal cases for investing in gender-related activities, helping teams secure budgets and institutional buy-in for inclusive approaches.
These shifts rely on facilitation that encourages reflection and supports teams in applying what they learn.
Why Facilitation Matters
While the GenderUp tool is powerful, its impact depends on how it’s applied. GenderUp facilitator trainings build the capacity of practitioners to guide teams through structured reflection and practical adaptation.
Well-facilitated GenderUp processes can:
- Strengthen institutional practice
- Improve innovation design and scaling strategies
- Anticipate and mitigate social risks
- Support more equitable outcomes at scale
For this reason, Responsible Innovations continues to invest in expanding a global community of GenderUp facilitators equipped to lead responsible scaling processes.
Join the Community of Practice
Responsible scaling becomes achievable when equity is intentional, resourced, and embedded in decision-making frameworks. GenderUp provides both the evidence and the methodology to support this shift.
If you are interested in joining a growing community advancing inclusive agricultural and food systems transformation – or if your organization seeks GenderUp training or facilitation support – we invite you to connect with us.
Upcoming GenderUp Facilitator Trainings:
21–22 April 2026
11–12 August 2026
Contact Ashley Mutiso at ashley@responsibleinnovations.org or complete the form on our website to learn more about upcoming trainings or customized sessions.
Together, we can ensure that innovation doesn’t just scale, but scales equitably.