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RE: Evaluating Scaling Efforts: Measuring What Matters

Emile Nounagnon HOUNGBO

Benin

Emile Nounagnon HOUNGBO

Agricultural Economist, Associate Professor, Director of the School of Agribusiness and Agricultural Policy

National University of Agriculture

Posted on 08/01/2025

Dear Colleagues,

I believe that an innovation, program, or policy that has been well-developed, particularly following a theory of change approach, requires very little effort to scale up. Founded on a relevant problem or real constraint, and analyzed in a participatory manner, the resulting innovation, program, or policy quickly spreads in terms of adoption and social behavior change. The impact is easily visible and more readily expanded. The effort to scale up the innovation, program, or policy can be measured at three levels:

  1. At the level of adopters of the innovation or the contribution of the program or policy: How many people are adapting the innovation? What uses are being made of the innovation or this contribution of the program or policy implemented?
  2. At the level of beneficiaries of the exploitation of the adopted innovation: Because the adoption of the innovation generates needs that are met by those who are able to provide them and who are therefore direct beneficiaries of the adoption of the innovation or the contribution of the program or policy implemented. In addition to the direct beneficiaries of the exploitation of the adopted innovation, there are also indirect beneficiaries and beneficiaries of induced effects that must be inventoried. Who are they? How many are there? What is their geographical distribution?
  3. At the level of the impact produced by the innovation, program, or policy implemented: There are also direct beneficiaries, indirect beneficiaries of the impact. Who are they? How many are there? What is their geographical distribution?

Thank you very much.

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