Unequal power breeds an epidemic of poverty, inequitable development, environmental degradation and other forms of injustice. The antidote to these ills is a network of vibrant and democratic social movements, which have the creativity and power to create a very different world, a world where justice flourishes.

Grassroots supports social movements by nurturing leadership (especially among women and youth) and by helping our partners train and organize their constituents, build alliances and advocate with decision-makers.

Our movement building grants serve to connect social movements within countries and across borders and build their capacity, strength and global voice. We support projects such as a Central American leadership and agroecology training school, an innovative website that tells the often-hidden stories of social movements’ work and the Via Campesina’s international advocacy to fix our broken global food system.

We also play a pivotal role through a special learning exchange and alliance building fund. This fund helps our partners forge a globalization from below, and enables them to participate in critical global meetings such as the World Social Forum and the Global Forum on Food Sovereignty. We encourage partners to meet in the field, sharing practical lessons from Haiti to Brazil on such issues as water management and sustainable agriculture strategies.