CGIAR: Pioneering Evidence-Based Innovation Portfolio Management 
CGIAR is among the first public research-for-development organizations to adopt a systematic, evidence-based approach to managing innovation portfolios. With thousands of innovations across the globe, CGIAR is committed to driving meaningful impact by tracking innovations along the impact pathway, prioritizing investments, aligning innovation supply with stakeholder demand, and addressing critical gaps to unlock strategic fundraising opportunities. Since 2022, the Scaling Readiness approach has been central to systematically collecting and analyzing innovation data. 
 
This event will spotlight CGIAR’s world-class, Innovation Portfolio Management Game, co-designed with award-winning game designers. This engaging, hands-on experience has already proven to be a powerful tool for helping participants internalize the key principles of portfolio management. Through the game, funders, CGIAR decision-makers, scientists, and experts will learn to navigate tough decisions, balance competing priorities, and develop strategies that optimize impact. 
 
Building on the game, the session will translate its lessons into CGIAR’s real-world context, fostering actionable solutions to support the CGIAR 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy. 
 
Expected Outcomes: 
Greater awareness of the value and necessity of innovation portfolio management. 
Recognition of gamification as a practical and transformative learning tool. 
Momentum for evidence-based investment decisions aligned with CGIAR’s goals. 
Meet the Scaling for Impact team and discover how their 'serious fun' approach is transforming innovation management and driving impactful results. 
 
By combining cutting-edge gamification with real-world applications, this event promises an engaging and impactful step toward smarter, more effective innovation management. 
 
This session is by invitation only, if you are interested, please contact Nicoletta Buono n.buono@cgiar.org