This publication provides an overview of SCALE (System-wide Collaborative Action for Livelihoods and the Environment) and discusses how this approach may be implemented to increase participation and impact in development projects. SCALE is described as a participatory management process and a practical set of tools and techniques that help people achieve sustainable solutions to challenges in environmental, natural resource and agricultural management.

Five steps of the SCALE process are outlined

• Map the Context - describes understanding and defining the issues. The authors provide a list of key questions that should be addressed at this stage.
• Catalyze Coalitions and Partnerships - advises on how to bring stakeholders together from every possible sector and viewpoint.
• Create Collaborative, Sustainable Solutions - describes how to generate options that address policy, structural, technological, economic, social, and environmental aspects of the issue, and address the need for negotiation and collaboration.
• Act - provides an overview of the implementation phase.
• Value - discusses SCALE monitoring and evaluation (M&E), using indicators such as measurement of system-wide change, sustainable livelihoods, environmental impact or changes in governance and civil society participation.

The Tools & Techniques section outlines outlines SCALE's recommended use of "a combination of social change methodologies and tools including civil society participation and mobilization, advocacy, social marketing, organization development, mass communication, education, and conflict resolution."

Going to SCALE was prepared by GreenCOM, a project funded and managed by the USAID Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade Bureau: Natural Resources Management Office. Technical services for GreenCOM are provided by the Academy for Educational Development in partnership with Chemonics International.

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