Date of Publication: February 26, 2020

Author: Mireille Tchapi & Michael Neuman

Summary:

Urban grassroots initiatives do vital work raising awareness and taking action on sustainability issues. Run largely by volunteers, they fill important gaps left by the public and private sectors, addressing specific local concerns, empowering individuals and enabling community voices to be heard. But these groups can be limited by time pressures on volunteers, a low level of influence with local government and difficulties in public engagement and enlisting diverse members. Grassroots initiatives aim to protect the environment, perserve local heritage, maintain affordable housing and strenghten the wellbeing of local communities. Poverty, age and gender can be barriers for people’s involvement in these movements.

Link to Full Reading:

https://theconversation.com/grassroots-projects-make-urban-sustainability-a-way-of-life-130919