Strengthening Capacity in Agriculture, Livelihoods and Environment (SCALE) Year 4 Workplan Narrative

Government's investments in food security programs. Funded by the USAID Office of Food for Peace (FFP) from January 2018 until January 2023, SCALE builds on agricultural activities implemented by the TOPS Program to enhance the impact, sustainability and scalability of BHA-funded agriculture, natural resource management, and alternative livelihood activities in both emergency and development contexts. Implemented by Mercy Corps in collaboration with Save the Children, SCALE partners with food security implementers and the broader research community to capture, generate, apply and share knowledge to foster more resilient agricultural systems and enhance income opportunities for the world's most vulnerable. The SCALE award's strategic approach incorporates activities under four knowledge mechanisms (knowledge capture, generation, application and sharing) that together provide a cohesive and integrated long-term approach. The approach is revised every year as part of the adaptive management approach to ensure it remains current with USAID/BHA implementer needs. Years 1 to 3 of the SCALE award included activities implemented in all four knowledge areas (capture, generation, application and sharing). Year 3 additionally incorporated a specific focus on COVID-19 related learning. Year 4 activities will continue to build on these previous years' work in all four areas, with a greater emphasis on remote learning opportunities and working with local stakeholders to enhance longer-term learning. Knowledge capture activities in Year 4 will include at least four case studies and lessons learned briefs, including a report on the impacts of the Hill Approach in the DRC, a case study on seed system activities in conflict-prone areas, lessons learned from a variety of cascading approaches, and a technical brief capturing the winning approach from the Creative Adaptation Award competition. These learning documents will also inform additional activities under other knowledge areas. Knowledge generation activities will include at least five tools, including mixed livelihoods technical guidance, updated Resilience Design and Permagarden materials, and a groundwater resource guide. The SCALE Award's strategic approach is designed to foster more resilient agricultural systems and enhance income opportunities for the world's most vulnerable. By capturing, generating, applying and sharing knowledge, SCALE aims to ensure that communities and families fully benefit from the U.S. Government's investments in food security programs. The initiative's focus on remote learning opportunities and working with local stakeholders to enhance longer-term learning will help to build the capacity of food security implementers and the broader research community. The SCALE Award's four knowledge mechanisms (knowledge capture, generation, application and sharing) provide a cohesive and integrated long-term approach to building the capacity of food security implementers and the broader research community. By revising the approach every year as part of the adaptive management approach, SCALE ensures that it remains current with USAID/BHA implementer needs. The initiative's focus on remote learning opportunities and working with local stakeholders to enhance longer-term learning will help to build the capacity of food security implementers and the broader research community. The SCALE Award's knowledge capture activities will include at least four case studies and lessons learned briefs, including a report on the impacts of the Hill Approach in the DRC, a case study on seed system activities in conflict-prone areas, lessons learned from a variety of cascading approaches, and a technical brief capturing the winning approach from the Creative Adaptation Award competition. These learning documents will also inform additional activities under other knowledge areas. The initiative's focus on remote learning opportunities and working with local stakeholders to enhance longer-term learning will help to build the capacity of food security implementers and the broader research community.