Grassroots Innovation Movements

The book gives a fresh look at the fundamentals of grassroots innovation, re-visiting old and recent themes with novel and challenging approaches through a rich and diverse collection of stories that explore initiatives to build pathways for grassroots innovation, their achievements and limitations.

Dr Hebe Vessuri, Senior Researcher,UNAM-CENPAT/CONICET-IVIC, Mexico, Argentina and Venezuela

Innovation can often appear remote: something that others do, and who present it to us as the latest, must-have technology. This book suggests a different reality. We are all innovators: individuals and communities, rich and poor, north and south. We must recognise, nurture and harness this wealth of innovation potential, and help ensure all people can access, adapt and use the technologies they need to live a healthy, meaningful and sustainable life.

Amber Meikle, Technology Justice campaign, Practical Action

This book brings a unique and valuable comparative perspective to the study of technology and social movements. From India to South America and Europe, Grassroots Innovation takes us on a global tour of design, innovation, and democracy. The book's detailed case studies will appeal to a wide range of readers, from first-time students to seasoned experts and designers.

David Hess, Professor of Sociology, Vanderbilt University and author of Alternative Pathways in Science and Industry

The value of this book lies in its laying out for us the not so visible world of grassroots innovations, where peoples' innovations, not the big industrial innovations, are treated as mainstream technologies. There is another important insight. That the social movements linked to the promotion of such innovations, apart from solving real problems, are addressing broader societal dichotomies and developing an alternative political paradigm. The grassroots innovation movement empowers communities by inviting their participation in the creation of increasingly relevant social technologies.

Dr Suman Sahai, founder Chairperson, Gene Campaign, Delhi