Watch STOLO Show Up

STOLO in Practice is a FordMomentum! blog series that translates values into action.

The Standard of LOVE (STOLO) isn’t a theory—it’s a working methodology used to design communication systems, engagement strategies, and decision-making processes that are fair, inclusive, and effective. This series explores how each STOLO pillar shows up in real-world projects across housing, infrastructure, planning, climate, and community development.

What Is STOLO?

The Standard of LOVE is a five-pillar framework that centers human experience as essential civic infrastructure. It helps institutions move from intention to implementation—ensuring people are not just informed, but respected, protected, and empowered.

The five STOLO pillars are:

• Language (Literacy): Making systems, rights, and decisions understandable

• Values: Aligning communication with what communities actually care about

• Self-Esteem: Treating lived experience with dignity and respect

• Economic Power: Turning participation into real-world impact

• Justice: Naming systems and creating fair, long-term outcomes

The Blog Series

Each post in the STOLO in Practice series focuses on one pillar and how it shows up in everyday engagement work.

🔹 Language (Literacy)

Ditching the Jargon: Why Clear Communication Is a Radical Act
How plain language removes barriers and expands participation.

🔹 Values (Importance and Worth)

Beyond “Checking a Box”: Designing Outreach That Reflects What You Stand For
Why authentic engagement starts with clarity about purpose and belief.

🔹 Self-Esteem

You Are the Expert: Crafting Surveys That Honor Lived Experience
How respectful framing builds trust and psychological safety.

🔹 Economic Power

From Input to Investment: Making Community Feedback Actionable
Turning community knowledge into policy, funding, and opportunity.

🔹 Justice

Naming the System: The Courage to Talk About Hard Topics Fairly
Creating space for honest conversations without blame or harm.

Why This Matters

Public engagement often fails not because people don’t care—but because systems aren’t designed with care.

STOLO in Practice shows how communication can become infrastructure: something that distributes access, builds trust, and reshapes outcomes over time.

This series is for:

• Public agencies and governments

• Planners, developers, and consultants

• Community organizations and advocates

• Anyone responsible for engaging people in decisions that affect their lives

Apply STOLO to Your Work

Here at FordMomentum!, we use STOLO across Housing Needs Assessments, infrastructure projects, climate planning, and organizational strategy.

As you’re prepping to move beyond compliance and into meaningful engagement, STOLO provides a clear, tested framework to do the work well. More posts coming soon.

Communication is infrastructure.
LOVE is the standard.