Important notice — March 10, 2020:

Due to the uncertain developments posed by COVID-19, we are sorry to announce that we will be postponing the scaling conference previously scheduled for March 26-27.

Please note that the other “scaling” events planned for that week are also postponed:

• IDRC ScalingXchange (March 23-25)
• GIZ CGIAR Scaling Task Force meeting (March 23-25)
• Catholic Relief Services (CRS) meetings around strategic collaboration for scaling (March 25)

We are in the process of determining the rescheduled dates for the scaling events and will make an announcement as soon as there is more clarity.

For too long, scaling has been assumed to happen spontaneously when an innovation or project shows success at a small scale. However, an estimated 95% of projects don’t lead to impact at population level.

Today, scaling is considered an art and a science in its own right. It has implications on how projects and programs are designed, implemented and learned from, and a fast-growing number of organizations have started unpacking what meaningful scaling means for them and what their role is in achieving the SDGs.

From March 23-25, the GIZ Task Force on Scaling and IDRC Canada will be holding scaling workshops at CIMMYT HQ in Texcoco, Mexico. Taking advantage of their presence on campus, CIMMYT is organizing a conference on scaling in the same week, when representatives from CGIAR, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), GIZ, IDRC Canada, and other members of the donor, implementation and research communities will meet to:

• Exchange lessons on scaling positive impacts of innovations and programs around the world;
• Discuss ways of mainstreaming scaling in donor, research and development organizations;
• Reach a common understanding of the status of the art and science of scaling;
• Strengthen the network of experts in scaling, agriculture and rural development.

If you are interested in attending the conference or require additional information about the event, please contact Lennart Woltering (l.woltering@cgiar.org).

This event will be sponsored by CIMMYT, IDRC and GIZ. Note that attendance will be capped at 50 and CIMMYT will not provide financial support for travel or accommodation.