Aim of the Institution:

The Grassroots Institute aims to undertake education, capacity building, innovative research, human development and appropriate grassroots field action to conserve the natural environment, to promote sustainable development, and to serve and empower deprived and marginalized communities, ethnic groups, and threatened and vulnerable peoples.

Objectives of the Institution:

The Objectives of the Association are:

Implementation of development and field projects and activities for environmental conservation, sustainable development, community empowerment, economic development, sustainable agriculture, water resources management, protection of biological and natural resources, sustainable urban development, local self-government reform, cultural conservation, livestock development and health, human rights, ethnic rights, public health and social work/change.

Proposed activities under Objective 1

  • Developing, implementing and supporting environmental awareness activities in order to increase the level of environmental education, knowledge of the state of the natural environment and the realization of citizens’ responsibility;
  • Promoting the development and implementation of advanced environmentally balanced technologies that save energy and resources in all branches of economic activity; Promoting the development of sustainable energy, energy saving and energy efficiency, alternative and renewable energy sources;
  • Mobilizing, empowering and organizing rural, urban, youth, student and other populations to understand problems at the local, national and international levels and to act on solving environmental, environmental, social, economic and energy problems;
  • Planning, development, implementation, evaluation and internalization of development and field projects and activities for environmental protection, nature conservation, conservation of forests and biodiversity, sustainable development, community empowerment, economic development, sustainable agriculture, water resources management, protection of bioresources, sustainable urban development, local self-government reform, cultural preservation, livestock development and health, human rights, rights of ethnic groups, public health and social work/change.
  • To promote and deepen dialogue between governments, businesses and the public in order to foster a common solution to social, economic and environmental problems;
  • Conceptualizing, developing, writing and compiling technical manuals for the education and training of target groups so that they can work effectively on environmental protection, use of natural resources, ensuring environmental safety, sustainable agriculture, safety and respect for the quality of food products;
  • Promoting the development of ecological and organic systems of certification, ecological and organic labeling of food products, goods, works, services in accordance with the requirements of European and international standards, the development of systems of other types of labeling (“natural”, “bio”, CE marking, energy labeling, etc.);
  • Promoting the development of sustainable and ecological tourism while ensuring the protection and conservation of biological and landscape diversity;
  • Exchange of information and direct experiences with other organizations in Montenegro, other Balkan countries and internationally on the issues of greening of the industrial economy, development of sustainable production and consumption, development of ecological culture and culture of sustainable consumption in society, environmental protection, conservation of forests and biodiversity, sustainable development, community empowerment, economic development, sustainable agriculture, water resources management, protection of bioresources, sustainable urban development, reforms of local self-government, preservation of culture, development and health of animal husbandry, human rights, rights of ethnic groups, public health and social work/change.

Providing social services to local communities, vulnerable and marginalized people, oppressed and excluded groups and ethnic communities by providing culturally appropriate development programs, focusing on their traditions and customs or their specific cultural, spiritual or linguistic needs, and on facilitating their development based on agriculture, water resources, biological resources, crafts, food, animals, etc.

Proposed activities under Objective 2 >

  1. Developing community-based services or outlets for the local population of the village/town to meet the needs of families, women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, youth and students by providing culturally appropriate development programs, focusing on their traditions and customs or their specific cultural, spiritual or linguistic needs;
  2. Developing services or points of sale in the community, preferably in a cooperative mode, for local families in the village/town through the development of agriculture, water resources, biological resources, crafts, food, animal husbandry, etc.;
  3. Developing community-based services or outlets for poor people to meet the needs of families, women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, youth, and students through rehabilitation, psychotherapy, counseling, empowerment, and other cultural, spiritual, or linguistic engagements;
  4. Developing community services or opportunities for vulnerable and marginalized people, oppressed and excluded groups, and ethnic communities to meet the needs of families, women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, youth, and students by providing culturally appropriate development programs, focusing on their traditions and customs or their specific cultural, spiritual, or linguistic needs;
  5. Developing community services or opportunities, preferably in cooperative mode, for vulnerable and marginalized people, oppressed and excluded groups and ethnic communities through the development of agriculture, water resources, biological resources, handicrafts, food, animal husbandry, etc.;
  6. Participation and cooperation in similar activities and projects organized by other network organizations.

Organize and conduct trainings, consultations, counselling and capacity-building activities on issues/topics related to rural and urban development, environmental protection, natural resource management, policy, law and governance, citizen-level actions, social work/change, communication, sustainable economic development, human rights, legal issues and public health in order to strengthen the capacity of public organizations, academic institutions, administrative bodies, local self-governments, students, youth, teachers, civic groups and local/ethnic communities.

Proposed activities under Objective 3 >

  • Identifying, planning, preparing, executing and implementing innovative trainings and capacity-building activities in order to strengthen capacities, improve skills, build new perspectives, overcome knowledge gaps and develop the leadership of public organizations, academic institutions, administrative bodies, local governments, students, youth, teachers, civic groups, responsible citizens and local/ethnic communities on issues or topics related to the management/development of rural areas; environmental protection, food and agriculture and the management of natural resources;
  • Identifying, planning, preparing, implementing and delivering innovative trainings and capacity-building activities to strengthen capacities, hone skills, build new perspectives, overcome knowledge gaps and develop leadership of public organisations, academic institutions, administrations, local governments, students, youth, teachers, civic groups, responsible citizens and local/ethnic communities on issues or topics related to public policy; Law in the public interest and local self-government, field action at the level of citizens, human rights and the right to resources;
  • Identifying, planning, preparing, implementing and delivering innovative trainings and capacity-building activities to strengthen capacities, improve skills, build new perspectives, overcome knowledge gaps and develop the leadership of public organisations, academic institutions, administrations, local governments, students, youth, teachers, civic groups, responsible citizens and local/ethnic communities on issues or topics related to sustainable urban environments, social development and change, development communication, sustainable economic development and public health;
  • Identifying, planning, preparing, implementing and delivering innovative trainings and capacity-building activities to strengthen capacities, improve skills, build new perspectives, overcome knowledge gaps and develop the leadership of public organisations, academic institutions, administrations, local governments, students, youth, teachers, civic groups, responsible citizens and local/ethnic communities on issues or topics related to sustainable urban environments, social development and change, development communication, sustainable economic development and public health;
  • Holding/conducting consultations, dialogues, advisory sessions, awareness-raising activities, public meetings, transactions, group work and interactive discussions in an effort to build the right perspectives, sharpen capacities, catalyze collective forces and develop alternative approaches among public organizations, academic institutions, authorities, local governments, students, youth, teachers, civic groups, responsible citizens and local/ethnic communities on issues or topics related to public policy, law in the public interest and local self-government, outreach at the level of citizens, human rights and the right to resources;
  • Conducting/conducting consultations, dialogues, advisory sessions, awareness-raising activities, public meetings, transactions, group work and interactive discussions in an effort to build the right perspectives, sharpen capacities, catalyze collective forces and develop alternative approaches among public organizations, academic institutions, authorities, local governments, students, youth, teachers, citizen groups, responsible citizens and local/ethnic communities on the subject of public relations. issues or topics related to sustainable urban environment, social development and change, development communication, sustainable economic development and public health;
  • Finding funding opportunities and developing projects of different types within the above activities on given issues/topics;
8.Creating partnerships and cooperation with entities in Montenegro, other Balkan countries, EU countries and internationally for the development and implementation of related projects in the above areas;
9.Building internal technical, managerial and financial capacities of the organization.

Conducting research, studies, research, and discourse on topics related to the environment, natural resources, agriculture, food resources, governance, policy, development, animal husbandry/economics, human rights, legal issues, and public health to drive change in human society and global ecology. Commissioning policy-oriented research, legal analysis, social studies, and recommendations on domestic and international issues (including resulting publications) related to the environment, ethnic groups, local and rural resources, governance, biocultural rights, regional development, public health, human rights, legal issues, and related spheres.

Proposed activities under Objective 4 >

  1. Conceptualizing, designing, conducting and disseminating new research, studies, research, evaluations and discourses on topics related to the environment and ecosystems, natural resources, food and agriculture, sustainable development, global ecology and green economy;
  2. Conceptualizing, designing, conducting and disseminating new research, studies, research, evaluations and discourses on topics/topics related to rural development, livestock/economics and public health in order to encourage change in rural society;
  3. Conceptualizing, designing, conducting and disseminating new research, studies, research, evaluations and discourses on topics/subjects related to public and local government, public policy, regional development, human and resource rights and other legal issues affecting citizens and civil society;
  4. Planning, developing and conducting policy-oriented research, legal analyses, social studies and recommendations on domestic and international issues (including resulting publications) related to the environment, natural resources, cross-border landscapes, agriculture and food, and biocultural resources;
  5. Planning, developing and conducting policy-oriented research, legal analyses, social studies and recommendations on domestic and international issues (including resulting publications) related to ethnic groups, local and rural resources, local government, biocultural rights, regional development, public health, human rights and related spheres;
  6. Participation in the processes of assessment, formation, evaluation and dissemination of policies and cooperation with competent state authorities, departments and local self-governments in environmental contexts; sustainable regional and local development, natural resources, ethnic groups, agriculture and food, rural development, urban energy and resources, public health and civil society, and democratization.
  7. Participation in the processes of creating research organizations, conformity assessment bodies, information media, databases, archives, libraries, books, photo and video libraries in order to attract the masses to the issues of ecology and environmental problems, as well as solving the problems of environmental and cultural education, and the development of informative, informative-consultative and methodological materials;
  8. Designing and implementing actionable research projects that introduce policy and participatory perspectives and involve communities, as well as sharing/sharing knowledge globally with multiple stakeholders;
  9. Planning, preparing and conducting workshops and field schools on participatory research, action research, policy research, participatory learning and action, as well as legal research tools and techniques.

Implement educational programs through structured trainings, vocational courses, summer schools, internships, certificates or diplomas and internship programs for young people, working professionals, interested students and others on issues/topics related to economic development, environment, natural resources, agriculture and rural development, law and policy and governance, social work/change, human rights and public health.

Proposed activities under Objective 5 >

  1. Designing, planning, executing and delivering structured programs/courses for certificates and diplomas in online, flexible, face-to-face and hybrid formats for youth, working professionals, interested students and others on environmental, natural resources, agriculture and rural development topics;
  2. Designing, planning, executing and delivering structured certificate and diploma programs/courses in online, flexible, face-to-face and hybrid formats for youth, working professionals, interested students and others on the topics of law, policy and governance;
  3. Designing, planning, delivering and delivering structured programs/courses for certificates and diplomas in online, flexible, in-person and hybrid formats for young people, working professionals, interested students and others on the topics of sustainable economic development, rural management, innovative social networks and development, green urban systems;
  4. Designing, planning, delivering and delivering structured certificate and diploma programs/courses in online, flexible, face-to-face and hybrid formats for youth, working professionals, interested students and others on the topics of civic action, human rights, the right to the environment and resources, the right to food and water, public health, democratic public institutions and civil rights;
  5. Designing innovative and new professional courses, summer/winter schools, internships and field presentations for young people, young professionals, students and participants on the topics of environment, forests, eco-restoration of soil, wetlands, food and agriculture, rural development and natural resources;
  6. Designing innovative and new professional courses, summer/winter schools, internships and field presentations for young people, young professionals, students and participants on the topics of law, politics, institutional mechanisms and local self-government;
  7. Designing innovative and new professional courses, summer/winter schools, internships and field presentations for young people, young professionals, students and participants on the topics of sustainable economic development, rural development/governance, innovative social networks and development, youth-led community networks, green urban systems, social innovations and local marketing;
  8. Designing innovative and new professional courses, summer/winter schools, internships and field presentations for young people, young professionals, students and participants on the topics of (youth) civic action, human rights, the right to the environment and resources, the right to food and water, public health, democratic public institutions and civil rights;
  9. Implementation of all necessary procedures for accreditation, authentication, validation and evaluation of trainings, certificates, diplomas, summer schools, professional courses, field presentations, internships, etc. by national and international certification bodies, regulatory and accreditation bodies.

To hold workshops, seminars, symposia, congresses, forums, consultations, meetings, forums, conferences, meetings, exhibitions, competitions, other informational and consulting and information-educational activities in order to promote environmental safety, sustainable development, socio-economic development, sustainable agriculture, rural development, green urban systems, sustainable energy systems, social justice, legal and administrative reform, peace and people’s rights, democratization of public institutions and public health.

Proposed activities under Objective 6 >

  • Organizing workshops, seminars, symposia, congresses, forums, consultations, meetings, conferences, etc., in order to promote environmental safety, sustainable development, socio-economic development, sustainable agriculture, rural development, green urban systems, sustainable energy systems, social justice, legal and administrative reform, peace and people’s rights, democratization of public institutions and public health;
  • Organizing public gatherings, exhibitions, competitions, other informational and consulting and information-educational activities in order to fulfill the legal purpose in order to promote environmental safety, sustainable development, socio-economic development, sustainable agriculture, rural development, green urban systems, sustainable energy systems, social justice, legal and administrative reform, peace and people’s rights, democratization of public institutions and public health;
  • Compiling, writing and publishing reports, proceedings, series, blogs or other forms of documents based on the progress and presentations of the above workshops, seminars, symposia, congresses, forums, consultations, conferences, meetings, exhibitions, competitions, other informational and consulting and informational-educational activities.

To promote and host academic and professional networks, alliances, associations, federations and collectives for collective and coordinated action, participatory initiatives and transfer of information/knowledge, sharing, exchange and management in the spheres and interests of environmental conservation, sustainable development, community empowerment, economic development, sustainable agriculture, water resources management, protection of bioresources, sustainable urban development, local government reform, preservation of culture, development and health of animal husbandry, human rights, rights of ethnic groups, public health and social work/change.

Proposed activities under Objective 7 >

  • Forming and nurturing academic and professional networks, alliances, associations, federations and collectives for collective and coordinated action, participatory initiatives and transfer, sharing, exchange and management of information/knowledge in the spheres and interests of environmental conservation, sustainable development, community empowerment, economic development, sustainable agriculture, water resources management, protection of bioresources, sustainable urban development, local self-government reform, preservation of culture, development and health animal husbandry, human rights, ethnic rights, public health and social work/change;
  • Participation in academic and professional networks, alliances, associations, federations and collectives for collective and coordinated action, participatory initiatives and transfer of information/knowledge, sharing, exchange and management in the spheres and interests of environmental protection, sustainable development, community empowerment, economic development, sustainable agriculture, water resources management, protection of bioresources, sustainable urban development, local self-government reform, preservation of culture, development and health animal husbandry, human rights, ethnic rights, public health and social work/change.
  • Maintaining and creating a database and a website or portal for the dissemination of information, membership management and public discourse of such academic and professional networks, alliances, associations, federations and collectives in the spheres and interests of environmental conservation, sustainable development, community empowerment, economic development, sustainable agriculture, water resources management, protection of bioresources, sustainable urban development, local government reform, preservation of culture, livestock development and health, human rights, ethnic rights, public health and social work/change.

Network, build alliances and build coalitions with like-minded organizations and individuals in order to promote and achieve the above goals of the organization at national and international level, especially in EU countries and cross-border countries.

Proposed activities under Objective 8 >

  1. Creating and appreciating networks, alliances and coalitions of students, youth, communities, practitioners, scientists, experts, lawyers, non-governmental organizations, civic groups, universities, research institutes, museums, libraries, local governments and others in order to achieve the stated goals of public organizations at the national and international level;
  2. Joining networks, alliances and coalitions of students, youth, communities, practitioners, scientists, experts, lawyers, non-governmental organizations, civic groups, universities, research institutes, museums, libraries, local governments and others in order to achieve the stated goals of public organizations at the national and international level;
  3. Establishment of awards, awards, scholarships, other incentives for the involvement of various stakeholders and the achievement of the stated objectives.

Undertaking the activities proposed within the framework of each of the previous objectives in Montenegro, other Balkan countries and at the international level (in particular in EU countries, cross-border countries) through direct business, as well as the involvement of intermediaries, as permitted by the laws of Montenegro.

Aim & Objectives