New
New
Year 8

Grassroots movements and development

I can describe what grassroots development means and explain how grassroots initiatives can improve people’s lives.

New
New
Year 8

Grassroots movements and development

I can describe what grassroots development means and explain how grassroots initiatives can improve people’s lives.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Grassroots development is when local people work together to solve problems and make their communities better.
  2. Grassroots development focuses on community participation, local knowledge, empowerment and sustainability.
  3. Practical Action is a charity which supports grassroots development.
  4. Grassroots development is often seen as sustainable.

Keywords

  • Community participation - where local people are actively involved in planning, decision-making, and running projects

  • Empowerment - giving people the confidence, skills, and control they need to make decisions and improve their own lives

  • Sustainable - something that meets the needs of today without damaging the needs of future generations

Common misconception

Grassroots development was invented by western thinkers.

In reality, many communities around the world have practiced grassroots development for centuries, using their own knowledge and solutions before Western ideas became popular.


To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: Grassroots movements and development, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils could be given a homework on researching a charity that focusses on grassroots initiatives.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match these keywords with their meanings:

Correct Answer:Development,The process of improving quality of life

The process of improving quality of life

Correct Answer:Inequality,The difference in quality of life or wealth between people

The difference in quality of life or wealth between people

Correct Answer:HDI,A measure of health, education and income

A measure of health, education and income

Correct Answer:Standard of living,The level of comfort and wealth people experience

The level of comfort and wealth people experience

Q2.
Which of the following is a high-income country?

Chad
Correct answer: Japan
Nepal
Haiti

Q3.
People in high-income countries usually have access to better .

Correct Answer: healthcare

Q4.
Which factor is most likely to slow down development in a country?

A good education system
Clean drinking water
Reliable transport links
Correct answer: Frequent droughts

Q5.
What does inequality mean in geography?

When all areas develop at the same rate
When cities are all the same size
When countries have the same population
Correct answer: When some people have more opportunities than others

Q6.
Which of these is a reason why some countries develop more slowly than others?

Correct answer: History of conflict or colonisation
Access to clean water
High levels of education
Low birth rates

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match these keywords with their meanings:

Correct Answer:Community participation,Involving local people in decisions and projects

Involving local people in decisions and projects

Correct Answer:Empowerment,Helping people gain control and skills

Helping people gain control and skills

Correct Answer:Sustainable,Meeting today’s needs without harming the future

Meeting today’s needs without harming the future

Q2.
What is a “grassroots movement”?

A project run by the government
A protest led by business leaders
Correct answer: A development project led by local people
A national plan from the UN

Q3.
Projects that are aim to support both people and the environment.

Correct Answer: sustainable

Q4.
Why is the statement “Grassroots development was invented by Western thinkers” not true?

It was invented by governments in Asia
It is based on scientific theory
It started with aid agencies
Correct answer: Many communities have used it for centuries