Grassroots Innovations

On the 25th anniversary of the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), the Minister of Science and Technology highlighted its significant role in fostering grassroots innovation. The Minister noted that over 25 startups and hundreds of enterprises supported by NIF, with some generating annual turnovers exceeding ₹10 crore, are thriving under its guidance.

Founded in 2000 with support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), NIF is dedicated to promoting grassroots innovations and traditional knowledge. Its mission is to create a knowledge-driven, creative society by supporting grassroots innovators through policy and institutional backing.

About Grassroots Innovations (GIs)

Definition: Grassroots innovations are locally-driven solutions developed by individuals or groups in civil society with limited resources, aimed at addressing local challenges and often contributing to sustainable development (as defined by UNDP). Early humans were also grassroots innovators.

Key Characteristics:

• Bottom-up Approach: GIs emerge from informal, non-market settings.
• Socially Driven: These innovations focus on community needs rather than profit, addressing social injustices and environmental issues often overlooked by mainstream models.
• Creative & Inclusive: GIs promote collaborative innovation and the sharing of local knowledge.

Examples: The Honey Bee Network (India) and the Technologies for Social Inclusion movement (Latin America).

Key Barriers to Grassroots Innovation:

• Limited collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Challenges in securing resources.
• Difficulty in scaling while maintaining stability.
• Governance and learning issues related to sustaining momentum and developing the innovation group.

To nurture thriving grassroots innovations, key factors include a dedicated national policy, government grants, simplified regulations, improved ICT access, and entrepreneurial education.

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