| Sumario: | This qualitative study aims to deepen understanding of how gender transformative socio-technical innovation bundles (STIBs) influence empowerment, resilience, food security among diverse community groups in Ejere and Wolmera woredas. Building on the initial quantitative findings and the learning generated through the Gender Transformative STIB (GTSTIB) pilots and Learning Labs, the study was designed to elicit rich stories and explanations in participants’ own words, revealing how social norms, power relations, and lived realities influence how they address climate risks, negotiate intra-household and community power relations, as it affects or is affected by their adoption of socio-technical innovation bundles. In this study, the consent form addressed the core elements of informed and voluntary participation. It explained the purpose of the study and what participation involved. That participation was entirely voluntary and that participants could refuse or withdraw at any time without consequences. How data collected will be used. Assured participants that their responses would be treated confidentially and anonymised, with no personal identifiers included in reports or publications. The consent form documented that informed consent was obtained (verbally and/ or in writing), consistent with the ethical approach used in the study. The qualitative component operationalizes this purpose through FGDs, KIIs, and reconstructed observation interviews across multiple social groups, as outlined in the comprehensive qualitative study plan. Through 12 FGDs and 25 KIIs with farmers, youth, cooperative leaders, women’s groups, elders, government officials, and program implementers, the study captures multi layered evidence on how STIBs are understood, valued, resisted, or modified within local realities. Such qualitative perspectives remain essential to understanding household decision-making, gendered vulnerabilities, youth agency, and socio economic constraints that quantitative surveys alone cannot fully capture.
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