Project Scaling for Catalysing Transformative Ecosystem-based Adaptation Worldwide
Defining Scaling
Scaling is a common term used in the field of sustainable development, but its definition varies among various literature and from actor to actor. In its simplest form, scaling can be defined as increasing the “dissemination and deployment of existing, proven technologies and systems”.
For the Global EbA Fund, scaling promising and impactful projects is crucial to maximise the Fund’s impact and to promote proven approaches to climate adaptation. Since 2020, the Global EbA Fund has built a diverse portfolio of small-scale, high-impact projects that pilot new approaches, generate evidence, and empower local partners. This growing community of practice forms the foundation for a future vision: scaling proven EbA solutions to unlock broader, lasting climate resilience.
Why Scaling Matters
EbA has the potential to transform climate resilience when solutions move beyond project boundaries and become embedded in systems, institutions, and policies. Scaling promising projects:
- Multiplies impact across landscapes, communities, and sectors
- Builds on validated evidence and innovations already tested through EbA projects
- Strengthens national commitments under global frameworks on climate, biodiversity, and land
- De-risks investment for financial institutions, private sector, and philanthropic organisations
- Accelerates uptake of EbA where resilience needs are greatest
The Global EbA Fund aims to enhance the resilience of ecosystems and communities through projects that promote catalytic and innovative approaches to climate adaptation.
Its scaling approach positions it to act as a bridge between actors and levels—connecting successful community-driven innovations to national and global mechanisms capable of adopting, expanding, or replicating them.
What Scaling Will Look Like
Scaling for the Global EbA Fund is not simply replicating projects. It is an intentional process that addresses bottlenecks, unlocks catalytic opportunities, and strengthens pathways from innovation to sustained impact.
Future scaling support may focus on four complementary approaches:
- Horizontal Scaling: Extending solutions to new communities, landscapes, or countries facing similar climate challenges.
- Functional Scaling: Adding new thematic components—such as policy, finance, or gender integration—to deepen impact.
- Vertical Scaling: Embedding project-tested approaches into policies, plans, and institutional frameworks.
- Organisational Scaling: Strengthening governance structures, partnerships, and institutional capacities that sustain EbA.
Each approach supports the long-term vision of mainstreaming EbA within climate adaptation planning, natural resource governance, and community development.
A Partnership-Driven Model for Scaling
Scaling EbA requires collaboration across sectors, institutions, and geographies. The Fund will facilitate scaling through a partnership model encouraging triangular cooperation involving:
- Beneficiary partners – project implementers with proven, scalable EbA solutions
- Pivotal partners – institutions with technical expertise or operational capacity
- Facilitating partners – donors or organisations supporting expansion or institutionalisation
Through this model, the Fund will help match partners, strengthen alignment with national priorities, and amplify the potential of EbA solutions to influence wider systems.
What Scaling Could Deliver
Scaling support will focus on generating tangible outputs that position projects for long-term sustainability and investment, such as:
- Evidence-based assessments (i.e. vulnerability, socio-economic, gender, feasibility)
- Policy updates or institutional strengthening to enable uptake of EbA
- Full project or programme proposals for larger climate and biodiversity finance mechanisms
- Targeted stakeholder consultations to open new pathways for adoption
- Capacity-building and governance improvements that reinforce resilience
These efforts ensure that successful EbA approaches can be sustained, replicated, and embedded across multiple levels.
Why Partner with the Global EbA Fund
The Fund is uniquely positioned to drive global EbA scaling:
- A proven portfolio of diverse, innovative projects across ecosystems
- An established review and monitoring framework ensuring quality and accountability
- A global network of implementers and experts acting as a community of practice
- Alignment with global policy frameworks including the Paris Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework
- Extensive EbA expertise from IUCN and UNEP as co-managing institutions
By partnering with the Global EbA Fund, donors can help accelerate the transition from pilot initiatives to systemic, landscape-scale, and policy-embedded impact.
Partner With Us
The Fund welcomes strategic financial and technical partners eager to shape the next generation of climate resilience. Together, we can:
- Expand the reach of proven EbA approaches
- Strengthen institutional capacities at multiple levels
- Foster innovation and unlock new adaptation finance
- Support global efforts to integrate nature and social inclusion into climate action
To learn more about partnership opportunities, contact the Fund Secretariat on [email protected].