Scaling Through Government: From Innovation to National Impact
Many of the most effective solutions in health, education, and social services are already known. The real challenge is not discovering new ideas, but embedding proven interventions into government systems at scale.
This discussion focuses on the often overlooked work of translating innovation into public infrastructure. What does it take to move from pilot to nationwide implementation through ministries with limited budgets, legacy systems, and competing priorities? How do you design programs that governments can actually adopt, fund, and sustain over time?
We will explore the realities of working with government, from procurement and financing pathways to organizational design and partnership models. The session will also challenge the sector’s bias toward novelty, asking whether the greatest impact lies in optimizing delivery of what already works.
Bringing together funders, implementers, and public sector leaders, this conversation will unpack what it takes to scale impact through government systems, and how to navigate the trade-offs around control, timelines, and long-term ownership.
Speakers
Alice Foster-Metcalf is a Senior Manager at Spring Impact.
Fay Hodza is Global Senior Director of Programmes at PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools), driving scalable education programmes that improve learning outcomes across sub-Saharan Africa.
Joanne Peter is Director of the Innovation Hub at Jhpiego and Senior Advisor to HealthTech Hub Africa, advancing data-driven healthcare systems.
Nils Voelker is Executive Director of Healthy Futures Global, focused on eliminating congenital syphilis through scalable health systems.
Ota Akhigbe is Director of Partnerships and Programs at eHealth Africa, building government-embedded health systems.
Janharmen Drost is in Business Development at GOAL 3, supporting innovation in resource-constrained health systems.
Merlia Shaukath is CEO and Founder of Madhi Foundation, strengthening foundational learning and education systems in India.
Susan Place Everhart is CEO of Sabre Education, supporting national-scale early childhood education in Ghana.
Discussion Questions
What does it take to successfully embed proven interventions within government systems at scale?
How can programs be designed from the outset for government ownership and long-term sustainability?
What are the biggest barriers in working with government, from procurement to financing to implementation, and how can they be addressed?
How should funders and implementers shift their approach if scaling through government is the primary path to impact?