Sustainable activism and community work cannot thrive on one-sided effort. Support must be mutual, solidarity must be reciprocal, and engagement must be meaningful. Too often, small grassroots organisations and activists find themselves pouring time, energy, and resources into causes, campaigns, and collaborations that do not extend the same commitment in return. This imbalance is not just unsustainable, it is damaging.
Many grassroots organisations throw their support behind larger organisations, especially those which have a regional or national profile. They show up, lend expertise, offer platforms, amplify voices, and provide essential services, often with minimal funding and capacity. Yet when they need support, whether it be attendance, advocacy, resources, or simple acknowledgment, the response can be lukewarm at best and non-existent at worst. No movement can survive like this. A just and equitable society cannot be built on the unpaid, unrecognised contribution of organisations which have their own set of priorities, aims and objectives.
That is why all organisations must assess and re-assess their approach to solidarity. This is not about disengaging from activism but about being intentional about where energy is placed. It means prioritising spaces where collective effort is valued, where relationships are built on trust, and where support is not only expected but given in return. It is about refusing to invest in spaces that take without giving, that rely on performative gestures rather than meaningful action.
Actions Grassroots Organisations Can Take
Assess Reciprocity in Relationships
Take stock of who consistently supports your work versus those who only engage when they need something.
Identify organisations, individuals, and allies who align with your values and actively reciprocate support.
Establish clear expectations of solidarity with partners and collaborators.
Set Boundaries and Say No When Necessary
Learn to decline invitations, requests, or collaborations where there is a pattern of non-reciprocity.
Be transparent about the need for mutual support and the consequences of one-sided engagement.
Avoid burnout by focusing energy on relationships and projects that align with your long-term vision.
Diversify Engagement and Expand Networks
Step beyond the usual activist circles to connect with new communities, sectors, and audiences.
Develop strategies to reach people who may not yet be part of the conversation but are open to meaningful engagement.
Engage in public education efforts that extend beyond activist spaces, bringing more people into the movement.
Hold People and Organisations Accountable
Address patterns of extractive engagement where individuals or groups take without giving back.
Call for transparency in how organisations support grassroots movements, ensuring they move beyond tokenism.
Build accountability mechanisms within movements to prevent the overburdening of specific individuals or groups.
Create a Culture of Active Solidarity
Promote a model of support where organisations uplift one another through actions, not just words.
Develop mutual aid initiatives, skill-sharing, and cross-promotion of work among grassroots groups.
Shift from performative allyship to deep, long-term commitments that strengthen collective movements.
Invest in Movement Sustainability
Prioritise self-care and collective care to prevent burnout among organisers.
Develop strategies for financial sustainability to reduce dependency on unreliable partnerships.
Train and mentor new activists to expand leadership and prevent movements from being overly reliant on a few individuals.
Challenge the Echo Chamber and Preach Beyond the Converted
Be intentional about outreach, ensuring that activism is not just reinforcing existing beliefs but engaging new perspectives.
Avoid spaces where the same discussions circulate without action or reflection.
Encourage fresh dialogue by fostering collaborations that introduce new voices into the conversation.
This is not about exclusion but expansion. It is about ensuring that movements remain dynamic, inclusive, and truly transformative. Every grassroots organisation should take a clear position on this. There must be an expectation of mutuality, a recognition that solidarity is not a transaction but a commitment.
No movement can survive in isolation, nor can it be sustained on the goodwill of a handful of committed individuals while others engage on their own terms. Now is the time for grassroots organisations to re-evaluate their approach, to demand better, and to invest in relationships and spaces that uphold the principles they claim to stand for.
Real change requires real commitment. Let’s move with clarity, with intention, and with a focus on building movements that truly reflect the values of justice, equity, and collective liberation.
Sonya R
Comments