Table 1.

Description of scripts for each GMB session

Session (duration)	Script title	Aim of the script	Participants
GMB1 (2 h)	Introduction and evidence brief	Introduction round; presentation of the GMB process and goals of GMB1; presentation of research related to systems approaches and the chosen complex problem.	Two facilitators School managers, staff, and students Municipal representatives
	Graphs over time	Engage participants in the GMB session by framing the problem, starting the mapping process, and identifying and prioritizing key factors.
	Connection circles	Map the prioritized factors and the connections and influences between them.
	Closing	Present the next steps and close the GMB session.
Between GMB1 and GMB2	Preparation of the CLD	Transcribe the recorded session; the research team adjusts the CLD based on the transcripts from GMB1, categorize the factors into meaningful themes, and highlight leverage points.	The research team
GMB2 (2 h)	Introduction	Present the goals of the sessions.	Two facilitators School managers, staff, and students Municipal representatives
	Model review	Show participants the revised CLD, themes, and leverage points; obtain their feedback on the changes made to the CLD.
	Model update	Discuss, qualify, and expand the CLD based on personal experiences and understandings, ensuring everyone shares a common understanding of the factors, themes, and leverage points.
	Identifying relevant stakeholders	Identify and discuss various stakeholders related to the CLD who can assist in the future development and implementation of changes.
	Closing	Present the next steps and close the GMB session.
Between GMB2 and GMB3	Preparation of the CLD and prepare the school to recruit participants for GMB3	Transcribe the recorded session; the research team adjusts the CLD based on the transcripts from GMB2, creates a list of possible stakeholders to invite for GMB3, and develops a template for the schools to use for recruitment.	The research team
GMB3 (3.5 h)	Introduction and evidence brief	Introduction round; presentation of the previous process in developing the CLD and goals of the session; presentation of research related to systems approaches and the chosen complex problem.	Two facilitators One notetaker School managers, staff, and students Representation from the municipality Relevant national and community level stakeholders
	Action capture	Identify what is already happening in the school, municipality, or community to address the chosen complex problem.
	Model presentation and discussion	Present and discuss the CLD; ensure that everyone shares a common understanding of the factors, themes, and leverage points; a notetaker takes notes on minor adjustments to be included in the CLD.
	Generating action ideas	Generate action ideas for system change on a post it; prioritize actions on a matrix based on their feasibility and potential impact.
	Sharing action ideas	The top action ideas are shared with everyone; all action ideas are clustered on a large area of wall space.
	Action groups	Establishment of action groups; each group completes a template with details about their action and creates a preliminary plan for upcoming work and meetings.
	Closing	Close the GMB session; everyone leaves the session with an awareness of what has been achieved and what will happen next.
After GMB3	Complete the CLD	The research team adjusts the CLD based on the notes from GMB3, which schools and municipalities can use in future development and implementation of changes.	The research team

Notes: GMB: Group Model Building, CLD: Causal Loop Diagram.