Sustainable Growth Plan
AIM
The Sustainable Growth Plan is a tool that helps you plan for the growth of your project in a way that keeps it impactful, financially stable, and environmentally sustainable. Growth here doesn’t just mean becoming bigger—it’s about reaching more people and ecosystems while staying true to your project’s purpose. This tool is based on the Small, Local, Open, Connected (SLOC) model developed by Ezio Manzini. The SLOC model encourages a balanced approach to scaling, ensuring that your project grows in a way that respects local context, fosters community involvement, and connects globally to remain resilient.
Use the SLOC Model as a Guideline:
- The SLOC model suggests that growth should be:
- Small: Start on a human scale and grow gradually.
- Local: Stay grounded in the needs and resources of the community.
- Open: Keep the project adaptable and open to new ideas.
- Connected: Link your project to other communities, networks, and resources for support and resilience.
STEPS
1. Pilot Project:
- Start by describing the pilot phase of your project. This is the initial test or trial stage where you validate your conceptm measure impact, and refine your approach. Here, you’re gathering feedback and learning what works. This stage will serve as the foundation for your project’s future growth.
2. Financial Autonomy:
- Next, consider how your project will become financially independent over time. Financial autonomy means having reliable revenue streams that allow your project to sustain itself without constantly needing outside funding. Many not for profit environmental projects start with an external grant, but then you need to identify potential revenue sources that align with your mission by securing local partnerships.
3. Contextual Replication:
- Think about how your project could be replicated in other local contexts. Contextual replication means adapting your project to fit other communities, environments, or needs while keeping the core impact goals the same. What makes the project flexible and adaptable to different communities?
4. Scaling Strategies:
- When you’re ready to grow further, develop a plan for resilient scaling. This involves expanding in a way that preserves the quality of your impact and maintains your connection to local communities.Consider if you need to scale at all. How can you ensure the project remains purposeful at a larger scale?
Materials
- Pens
- Canvas template
CREDITS: Model based on the SLOC scenario coined by Ezio Manzini. Created by Gabriela Baron, 2021