THE GRASSROOTS DIRECTORY
WHAT IS THE GRASSROOTS DIRECTORY? THE GRASSROOTS DIRECTORY IS A NEW FORMAT SOURCE BOOK THAT WILL LIST SOME OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE, PRACTICAL AND EXCITING COMMUNITY-LED PROJECTS IN THE UK This sharp-looking, handy volume aims to showcase over 200 enterprises, spaces and
co-operative ventures which are helping to build
projects engaged in those activities and show how readers and communities can take part.
With its real-life testimonies and hands-on
a more sustainable and fairer society.
approach, the Directory aims to inspire everyone
low carbon group or micro-brewery, what makes
local and community work for the future. All
Whether an energy scheme or cycle path, a
all of these projects unique is that they are owned and run by the community for the community. Each entry to the Directory will contain a
main project that places the activity in focus
and explains how local grassroots action and
involvement matters. It will also profile other
with the tools and knowledge to take part in
grassroots projects spring from people coming
together and deciding to do something for their communities themselves.
A IS FOR ALLOTMENTS Z IS FOR ZERO WASTE The directory will follow an A-Z format for
such as ENERGY or CULTURE. ACTION
full place index at the back too. Looking for a
local pressure groups. FOOD will share best
quick and easy reference, and there will be a
co-operative bakery in Liverpool? Easy! Look
under Bakeries at the front, or Liverpool at the back. (Answer: the wonderful Homebaked in
Anfield that is also home to a Neighbourhood Land Trust).
There will be several categories or ‘streams’
within the book that group the projects together
Everything in our Grassroots Directory map (overleaf ) is happening now in Britain.
locations. We have put all the elements in the map together from citywide projects, neighbourhood initiatives and street groups; from enterprises that are changing the look and feel of villages, market towns and bio-regions all over the country.
Does your town have any of these? If so do get in touch: www.grassrootsdirectoryuk/org.uk
One striking quality of grassroots action is its generosity, whether sharing time or home-grown veg. Seed swaps, give and take days, tool libraries are all part of what is sometimes known as the new sharing economy. With ecological and financial concerns pressing on all sides, one of its most popular inventions is the repair cafe. Repair cafes are events run by the community that invite repairers to share their skills and help people fix broken or damaged goods. They are a great way to find out how to mend anything from mobile phones to umbrellas to chairs. Learning and saving ‘stuff ’ from going into landfill. A win all round!
CHANGING THE STORY
feel there needs to be a narrative that reflects
We felt that the speedy nature of on-line
and printed media meant that the stories
about them didn’t always reach the places
they could have given time. So we decided to produce the Directory as a ‘bumper annual’,
EMAIL INFO@GRASSROOTSDIRECTORY.ORG WEB WWW.GRASSROOTSDIRECTORY.ORG @GRASSROOTSMAP
Map illustration: Laura Barnard Design: Raphael Whittle
Text: Charlotte Du Cann
At the heart of the Directory is the sharing
documenting community projects, including Transition Free Press.
THE GRASSROOTS DIRECTORY
thumbed – ‘shelf life’!
of good ideas and practical information. We
in the national grassroots newspaper
report on these community projects because we many of the positive and democratic changes taking place across the UK (and elsewhere). Many of these locally-based responses are
ways of addressing difficult global issues, from
SEND US YOUR IDEAS
possible and inspire others to take part.
an email and include:
They show how change through involvement is
If you would like to suggest a project write us n the name and location of the project
n a person we can speak with and if possible a phone number or email
Many of these projects start small and are often
Getting involved and connected brings
turn into social enterprises. One neighbourhood
whether this is leading a foraging walk, or giving
add a short description (50 words) along with
hydro project in the local river. They create new
Please send to us at The Grassroots Directory:
might run a veg box scheme, or restore a local
bandstand; one village might have a collection
of nut trees, or put solar panels on its church or school roof. Other places might aim for larger projects – a citywide alternative currency
or community-owned oat field on the outskirts
community or co-operative groups.
Because there is nothing like real experience
when it comes to telling a good story.
everyone’s skills and knowledge to the fore,
If you are involved in the project yourself do
advice at a ‘reskilling’ event, or organising a
your contact details.
relationships and public spaces for people to
enjoy, as well as bring meaning and a feeling of belonging into everyone’s lives.
We want The Grassroots Directory to be
H IS FOR HOP GROWING There’s lot of health and happiness in learning how to bake ‘real’ bread or to keep bees – but cooking with others for a seasonal feast, or to help honeybee populations, makes you part of a new collective story. Drinking cider brewed in a co-op from foraged apples gathered, collected and pressed in your neighbourhood, or beer made with hops grown in a community garden brings a fresh engagement with life and the place you live in and share with others (and not just people!). You gain knowledge about brewing and plants and co-operation and fermentation. Suddenly the world tastes very different!
WE’RE LOOKING TO FIND THE MOST DYNAMIC AND REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS IN GRASSROOTS BRITAIN AND WE WOULD LIKE YOUR HELP. IF YOU KNOW OF ANY FOLK MAKING GREAT THINGS HAPPEN IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD, DO GET IN TOUCH
crises within the environment to the economy.
CONNECTING UP
run by volunteers. Others become funded, or
of the joys (and challenges) of working in
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
so they could have a longer - and hopefully well
friendly and cohesive nature of grassroots culture. It was inspired by many years
Each of the main projects will also detail some
fits together.
You might not find these projects all in one place, as we show it here, but in many and varied
across the UK, but also to highlight the
CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).
illustrator Laura Barnard to see how it works and
HOW TO READ THIS STREET MAP
only to reveal a colourful pattern of projects
practice to start up a community garden or
Have a look at the map overleaf drawn by our
R IS FOR REPAIR CAFE
The Directory aims to ‘join the dots’ not
will give information on how to organise
info@grassrootsdirectory.org
You can also go onto our website to find the details: www.grassrootsdirectory.org
CROWDFUND THE DIRECTORY
We plan to publish the first edition of the
Directory in 2016. To pay for the book’s design, editing and printing we will be running a crowdfunding campaign later this year.
Crowdfunding is a new approach to
publishing where books are produced with their future readers’ backing. You can take part in this
exciting co-operative venture by pre-paying for a book and becoming a supporter of the project. We will be promoting the crowdfunding
campaign this autumn. So do follow us on
Facebook or Twitter (@grassrootsmap) or join
our mailing list at: info@grassrootsdirectory.org
of town.
full of possibilities for people looking towards a
We aim to sell the Directory via our website and
Thank you everyone!
projects create a new social infrastructure.
yes – more fun too!
a look out for us!
www.grassrootsdirectory.org
Whatever their size or vision, all grassroots
future that is fairer, more Earth-friendly, and –
through community groups across the UK. Keep
The Grassroots Directory team