Webinar: Scaling What Works: Innovation and Adaptation Pathways in Fragile Contexts

FLEX (Frontlines Learning Exchange) is a knowledge-sharing series hosted by the FLOW Research Group at IWMI under the CGIAR Food Frontiers and Security program. It brings together researchers, humanitarians, innovators, and policymakers to share practical lessons and emerging solutions for building climate and water resilience in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Through virtual and in-person sessions, FLEX aims to spotlight local leadership, scale what works, and foster partnerships that move science into action in some of the world’s most complex environments.

Session 1

The first session held on April 30 marked the official launch of the Toolkit for Anticipatory Action in Fragile, Conflict- and Violence-Affected Settings, co-developed by the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and IWMI through the CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration. It also inaugurated the FLEX (Frontlines Learning Exchange) series, IWMI’s new platform for shared learning on resilience in fragile and conflict-affected settings, supported by the CGIAR Food Frontiers and Security program.

Speakers unpacked the realities of implementing anticipatory action in volatile contexts—where climate extremes, water and food insecurity, displacement, and weak institutions intersect. The event introduced the new Toolkit, which offers step-by-step guidance for planning, activating, and reflecting on anticipatory action through inclusive and locally grounded approaches. Panelists also explored how tools like IWMI’s AWARE platform and the Climate Centre’s conflict-sensitive programming handbooks are helping shift action from reaction to anticipation.

Session speakers included:

• Catalina Jaime – Head of Climate and Conflict, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre
• Dr Sandra Ruckstuhl – Senior Researcher and FLoW Research Group Leader, IWMI
• Alessandra Gilotta – Head of the Anticipation Hub
• Dr Juliane Schillinger – Technical Adviser, Climate & Conflict, Climate Centre
• Ansherina Grace Talavera – Humanitarian and Peacebuilding Coordinator, CARE Philippines
• Dr Giriraj Amarnath – Principal Researcher, IWMI
• Chhavi Sachdev – Journalist and Communications Specialist

Session 2

The second webinar of the CGIAR Food Frontiers Program’s Frontlines Learning Exchange (FLEX) series: Scaling What Works held on July 8 unpacked how innovations are adapted, adopted, and scaled in some of the most challenging environments, conflict-affected, resource-scarce, and socially fragmented. Conversations explored how innovation scaling strategies can strengthen CGIAR’s engagement in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Drawing on field cases and recent research, the panel unpacked the enabling conditions, support functions, and systemic shifts needed to drive the uptake of locally adapted innovations where climate shocks, resource scarcity, and conflict intersect. From agribusiness acceleration to water security innovations, this session highlighted lessons from CGIAR and beyond on enabling systems change, inclusive processes, and responsible pathways to scale.

Session speakers included.

• Regina Schmidt – Head of SDG2 Acceleration, WFP Innovation Accelerator
• Utsav Kharel – Somali Response Innovation Lab (SomRIL) Lead
• Fouad Rihani – Commercial Product Director, Aquaporo
• Mohamed Bahero – Innovation Officer, International Centre for Humanitarian Affairs (ICHA), Kenya Red Cross Society
• Josey Kamanda – Researcher – Innovation Scaling and Agribusiness Acceleration
• Mahlatse Nkosi – Research Officer, Inclusive Agricultural Finance, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

Full recording:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eGKJt6uO1o