Grassroots International

Grassroots International is an international development organization supporting movements and organizations in the United States and in other countries of the world. The organization provides grants to partner agencies in developing countries and the focus is on “land, water and food as human rights and nourishing the political struggle necessary to achieve these rights.” Issues Resource rights, particularly the rights to land, water and food are critical for human dignity and survival. Today these are under assault by various factors of globalization. There is an alternative-in the vibrant global social justice movement demanding and defending resource rights as basic human rights. That's why they are focusing their efforts to support the work of the different movements and groups that are part of this global phenomenon, primarily small producers such as peasants, small farmers, fishers, farm and forest workers, women and indigenous peoples. Much of their work is focused on building the capacity of these movements (at the local, national and international level), on helping them realize their economic, cultural and social rights, and on defending their political and civil rights when they are under attack. As part of this, they provide support for community-led, sustainable development projects to help secure the human rights to land, water and food. Their partners take a holistic approach, using techniques that cultivate food, harvest water, conserve seeds and protect the environment. What They Do Grassroots International works around the world to help small farmers and other small producers, indigenous peoples and women win resource rights: the human rights to land, water and food. They are a funder that supports community-led initiatives and movements worldwide, with special focus in Brazil, Haiti, Mesoamerica and the Middle East. They also partner with global networks like the Via Campesina, which includes more than 250 million small farmers and farm workers organizing in 71 nations. They are an advocate for social justice, working with U.S.-based allies to move public policy toward justice and fairness, particularly trade, climate and food/agriculture policies.