What are the key elements of a sustainability and scalability plan for your proposal?

1 Define sustainability and scalability

The first element of your plan is to define what sustainability and scalability mean for your project. Sustainability refers to the ability of your project to maintain its operations and outcomes after the funding ends, without compromising the quality or effectiveness of your solution. Scalability refers to the ability of your project to expand its reach and impact to new locations, groups, or sectors, without losing its relevance or feasibility. You should explain how you will measure and demonstrate these aspects of your project, using specific indicators and targets.

2 Identify potential challenges and risks

The second element of your plan is to identify the potential challenges and risks that could affect the sustainability and scalability of your project. These could include external factors, such as changes in the political, economic, social, or environmental context, or internal factors, such as staff turnover, technical issues, or budget constraints. You should assess the likelihood and severity of these challenges and risks, and how they could impact your project's goals and activities.

3 Outline mitigation and adaptation strategies

The third element of your plan is to outline the mitigation and adaptation strategies that you will use to overcome or minimize the challenges and risks that you identified. Mitigation strategies are proactive actions that you will take to prevent or reduce the negative effects of the challenges and risks, such as securing alternative sources of funding, building partnerships, or diversifying your income streams. Adaptation strategies are reactive actions that you will take to adjust or modify your project in response to the challenges and risks, such as changing your delivery model, adapting your curriculum, or revising your timeline.

4 Demonstrate stakeholder engagement and ownership

The fourth element of your plan is to demonstrate how you will engage and involve the relevant stakeholders in your project, and how you will ensure their ownership and commitment to its sustainability and scalability. Stakeholders are the people or groups who have an interest or influence in your project, such as beneficiaries, partners, donors, staff, or policymakers. You should explain how you will communicate and collaborate with them throughout the project cycle, and how you will solicit and incorporate their feedback and suggestions. You should also highlight how you will build their capacity and empower them to take ownership and responsibility for the project's continuation and expansion.

5 Provide evidence of demand and feasibility

The fifth element of your plan is to provide evidence of the demand and feasibility of your project for sustainability and scalability. Demand refers to the need or desire for your solution among the current or potential beneficiaries, and how you will assess and respond to it. Feasibility refers to the practicality or viability of your solution in different contexts and settings, and how you will test and validate it. You should present data, testimonials, case studies, or other sources of evidence that show how your project addresses a real and relevant problem, and how it can be implemented and replicated effectively and efficiently.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?