Unleash the Power within YOUth: Grassroots Activism

^{At YouthxYouth, we root our work in the belief that activism, like life itself, takes so many forms, each one necessary and vital in our journey of cultivating a just and liberated world. This year’s annual YouthxYouth crowdfunding campaign is centred around raising support to sustain the work we do at YxY by showcasing the diversity of the activism that exists within our community, from artivists to community weavers, and everything in between. This crowdfunding campaign is an invitation, an open door if you will, to sustain the work of YxY through 2025 and beyond, and to witness the power and depth of activism. Through this campaign, we’re intentionally holding up a mirror to reflect the faces of those we serve and uplift, the activists whose journeys we nurture and who nurture us in return. As part of this, we are releasing a series of blogs that explore 10 different archetypes of activism.} 

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At YouthxYouth, a large part of our work is centred around the concept of glocality (The concept of rooting and collectively addressing local challenges with the support of global knowledge, resources and networks) which means Grassroots activism is intrinsically tied to our changemaking! So let’s explore it! Grassroots activists, or place-based activists, take action locally, whether in the workplace, schools, or neighbourhoods. It essentially emerges when ordinary people come together to address immediate issues affecting their lives. 

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Grassroots activism has historically surfaced during moments when people collectively say "enough is enough", so it is driven by people recognizing shared struggles and choosing to act together. They confront systemic challenges, with those directly affected stepping forward to lead the change. With this emergent nature, instead of following formal hierarchies, Grassroots ‘“leadership” naturally develops as people contribute their time, energy, and capacities to the work (This is similar to Community Organiser activism, an activist archetype we explored previously in this series).

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An example of Grassroots activism is the YouthxYouth Glocal Hubs which are locally-rooted, globally-supported homes for youth-led educational transformation. These hubs are facilitated by resident youth weavers in partnership with allies and institutions to accelerate young people's ability to influence, design, and create systemic change. Explore the stories of the Abeokuta, Lagos, and Mbita hubs now.

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Like with other forms of activism, Grassroots activists face inherent systemic challenges. Because these movements are typically led by local communities, intentionally outside of institutions, activists unfortunately often have restricted access to resources. However, unlike traditional organised movements, Grassroots activism possesses fluidity that often reflects the urgency of community needs. We think their effectiveness at enabling change comes from their adaptive nature, as tactics evolve organically through real-time community feedback, and groups can quickly dissolve and reconstitute as circumstances change. This emphasis on direct action over elaborate strategic planning allows Grassroots efforts to remain agile and responsive. Their interventions emerge rapidly when crisis or opportunity arises, operating through trust-based informal networks rather than rigid hierarchical structures.

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"Relationships are built at the speed of trust, and social change happens at the speed of relationships." - Jennifer Baily

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In honouring these activists and the glocal work alive for us right now, we’re sharing an interview with a great Grassroots activist within the YouthxYouth community, Ruphin Kungwa. Ruphin is originally from Democratic Republic of Congo. However, for the past several years, he had called Uganda his home. One of the greatest passions in his life is justice and peace education which aligns better with understanding laws and conflict resolution. He believes that educating individuals about the principles of peace is the cornerstone of building a harmonious society of justice. 

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Stay tuned to our social media for more inspiring conversations!

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Through these interviews, we hope to bring you closer to the lived experiences of activists within our community, hopefully offering a fuller understanding of what it means to be an activist, in its vast multiplicities.

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As we journey through the other archetypes of activism we invite you to reflect on the interconnectedness of these roles. While each archetype has its distinct facets, together they make up our YouthxYouth community and how magical is that!

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Our crowdfunding campaign is about celebrating this diversity, and by contributing, you are not only helping sustain YxY’s work but also joining a community that values and nurtures a broad spectrum of activism. We invite you to support those who dare to act, whether it's on the frontlines or behind the scenes, as we envision and work towards the more beautiful futures our hearts so deeply long for.

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Donate now!