Join CGIAR and partners at World Food Day 2026 in The Netherlands, in a day-long event hosted by The Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP). We will explore how research, innovation and partnerships can deliver lasting impact across food systems.

> Register for World Food Day

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Through three interactive sessions and a dedicated scaling helpdesk, we will examine what it takes to move beyond reach to adoption, innovate and scale responsibly, and understand the financial and wider benefits of agricultural research.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 
 

11:30–12:30 | Room 7 — Reach Is Not Impact: Making Scale Happen From Frameworks to Last-Mile Impact
Explore how scaling approaches can help turn promising innovations into adoption and practical impact.

CGIAR Speaker: Evan Girvetz - Principal Scientist, Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT

14:45–15:45 | Room 6 — It’s Not Just About the Money: The financial and hidden returns of investing in R&D for global food systems
Examine the value of research and development, including benefits that extend beyond financial returns.
Speaker: Mariëlle Karssenberg - Partnership Builder at Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP)

16:00–17:00 | Room 1 — Innovating & Scaling Responsibly: Real-world cases and practical questions for every stage, from design to scale
Discuss how to embed responsibility in innovation and scaling, with attention to inclusion, local priorities and lasting benefits.

CGIAR Speaker: Marc Schut - Senior Advisor for Innovation Portfolio Management in the Office of the Chief Scientist, CGIAR

Throughout the day | Booth 7, Innovate zone — CGIAR Scaling Helpdesk: Ask Us Anything About Scaling Innovation
Bring your scaling questions and challenges to an informal exchange with CGIAR specialists.

Host: Rhys Bucknall-Williams - Communications Lead, CGIAR Scaling for Impact 

Attendance is free, but registration is required for all attendees, including speakers and session contributors.