Grass Roots Activism

What grassroots activism means

Grassroots activism is campaigning driven by people and communities from the bottom up. A group decides to take collective action on an issue, and local participants shape the campaign's priorities and activities. Campaigns may be independent, or connected to political parties, charities, trade unions or other organisations.

Many begin with a single concern in a neighbourhood. Others take up a national issue that people feel is being ignored. A group can start small and with little money and still be effective, because persistent, organised campaigning can shift public opinion and keep pressure on decision makers.

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Your rights and the law

The Human Rights Act 1998 gives domestic effect to Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protect freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly and association. Public authorities, including the police and councils, must generally act compatibly with these rights. They do not give campaigners an unrestricted right to use any location, including private land.

Restrictions must have a legal basis and be necessary and proportionate for a permitted purpose, such as protecting public safety or other people's rights. Police also have powers to place conditions on marches and gatherings.

Notice rules for processions differ across the UK. Giving notice is not the same as asking for permission.

• England and Wales: organisers of public processions generally need to give the police at least six clear days' written notice, with some exceptions. A stationary assembly does not generally carry the same requirement.
• Scotland: notice generally goes to the local authority at least 28 days beforehand, though shorter notice can be accepted.
• Northern Ireland: processions generally require 28 days' notice, given through the police to the Parades Commission. Related protest meetings have separate rules.

Check the official guidance for your nation before finalising plans.

Defamation and harassment laws apply to what you publish, online or offline. Data protection law covers supporter details, and information revealing political opinions can be special category personal data. Store mailing lists securely, tell people how their details will be used and get consent where required.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Working with politicians and formal routes

As a campaign gains attention, an MP, councillor or member of the Scottish Parliament, Senedd or Northern Ireland Assembly may hear about it. Approach the representative responsible for the issue, since an MP is not always the right route for a devolved matter. Supportive representatives might raise the issue in Parliament or at a council meeting, write to ministers or public bodies, or help you reach the right officials.

This backing can widen your audience. Independent campaigns should weigh the risk that close ties to one politician or party could put off supporters with different views.

British citizens and UK residents can use the UK Parliament petitions website for matters the UK Government or Parliament is responsible for. At 10,000 signatures a petition receives a government response, and at 100,000 it is considered for debate. A debate is not guaranteed, and neither threshold compels a policy change. Some councils have petition schemes, and the Scottish Parliament and Senedd run their own systems. For Northern Ireland, check current Assembly arrangements.

Consultations, councillor surgeries, scrutiny meetings, complaints procedures and freedom of information requests can work alongside petitions and demonstrations.

Getting started

You do not need special training or large funds. A campaign can start with a few people agreeing on what they want to change.

• Set a specific, realistic aim.
• Find out who makes the decision: a council, a public body, a devolved government or central government.
• Gather accurate information and keep claims factual.
• Build support through local meetings, community groups and social media.
• Make meetings accessible, assess risks for events, put safeguarding in place where relevant and plan for harassment or confrontation.
• Keep records of donations and spending.

A growing group may want a formal structure, but it does not have to become a charity. Charity status is appropriate only where purposes are exclusively charitable, and an organisation set up for a political purpose cannot qualify. Charities may campaign in support of their purposes but must stay independent of party politics. The Charity Commission for England and Wales, OSCR in Scotland and the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland each set their own registration rules.

If your activities could reasonably be regarded as intended to influence voters, read the Electoral Commission's guidance for campaigners who are not parties before spending money. Regulated periods can begin well before polling day, and registration, spending, donation and reporting rules may apply.

For help running a community group, contact your local voluntary sector support body, or NCVO in England, WCVA in Wales, SCVO in Scotland or NICVA in Northern Ireland. Citizens Advice can help if you are unsure about your rights.

Some campaigns achieve quick results; others take sustained work. To begin, write down the change you want, name the person or body that can make it, and choose your first action.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Discrimination Claim Eligibility Checker lets you determines if your situation meets legal criteria for a discrimination claim under UK law. Try it now →