Towards developing an Enabling Environment Digital Toolbox: scaling innovations using fit-for-purpose methods

Enokenwa Baa, Ojongetakah; Angwech, Alice; Brosler, Taisa Marotta; Jacobs-Mata, Inga

Towards developing an Enabling Environment Digital Toolbox: scaling innovations using fit-for-purpose methods

Autores

Enokenwa Baa, Ojongetakah

Angwech, Alice

Brosler, Taisa Marotta

Jacobs-Mata, Inga

Editor

International Water Management Institute
CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program

Descripción

Creating an enabling environment is fundamental to scaling inclusive innovations within agri-food systems. Within the CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program, the Enabling Environment Lab is developing the Enabling Environment Digital Toolbox, a modular, AI-assisted platform designed to strengthen the systemic conditions needed for widespread adoption and scaling of agricultural and climate innovations. The Toolbox curates interoperable, field-tested digital and analytical tools aligned with Enabling Environment Lab’s eight pillars, and provides user-friendly guidance, training pathways, and decision-support features for governments, researchers, policymakers, agribusinesses, and local stakeholders. Over the last year (2025), the program has completed its foundational design phase and transitioned into active development. Phase 1 achievements include finalizing the product Concept Note, mapping and validating over one hundred tools across the eight pillars, defining user personas, and conducting extensive stakeholder engagements with policymakers, researchers, and agribusinesses. A multi-institutional design sprint generated user journeys, early wireframes, prototype screens, and a shared vision for platform architecture. These milestones positioned the team to enter Phase 2, focused on building and testing the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), enhancing metadata quality, and integrating an AI-driven discovery engine. Preparations for pilot activities are underway in Kenya, Zambia, Ethiopia, and Colombia. The goal is to ensure that the toolbox supports enabling environment work and acts as a shared strategic layer — accelerating reform, enabling coordination, and helping climate-smart innovation scale where it’s needed most.