"grassroots" meaning

[elkikuyo]

please english speakers could you explain what grassroots means in the following sentences: We support grassroots educational initiatives. ?

[Rusty]

Grassroots can mean 'fundamental' in this context, and that is the synonym I would use in this particular sentence if you were to reword it.

Grassroots means 'of, pertaining to, or involving the common people.' It describes the people that make up the non-political (or non-elite) side of an iniative, debate, or movement.

Hope that helps!

[Alfonso]

It's really interesting this word. I had never heard of it before.
I'm not sure if I could use it correctly right now.
For what Rusty wrote, I guess it's got something to do with social background, or something like that.
Would these sentences be correct?:

• Obama's got grassroots in his side.
• Grassroots here are very left handed.
• Grassroots are supporters of ecological development.

With the nuance of fundamental I found more difficulties in producing a sentence. I guess you use it in a formal context, but I can't be sure.

Thanks a lot for your help!

[Tomisimo]

For me personally, grassroots only has political connotations. But according to most dictionaries, it has 3 basic meanings.

1. basic, fundamental <the grassroots reason for purchasing land is ...>
2. totally new, not adapted from something else <a grassroots factory>
3. being, originating or operating in or at the basic foundation, source or lowest level of society or an organization. This is the meaning that I'm familiar with. <Obama has grassroots political support> <X is a grassroots movement> <X is a grassroots organization> All in a political context.

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by elkikuyo

please english speakers could you explain what grassroots means in the following sentences: We support grassroots educational initiatives. ?

Returning to elkikuyo's original question, (welcome, by the way ), I'd translate it something like this:

We support grassroots educational initiatives.
Apoyamos iniciativas educativas/docentes promovidas por el pueblo.

... promovidas por el pueblo.
... que toman en cuenta al pueblo común.
... que son organizadas por la gente común.

Algo así, pero ni sé siquiera si traduje bien initiatives

[elkikuyo]

Thanks so much for all your answers! I got clear now what grassroots is. David, your translation was perfect! It just made it so easy to understand when I read it in spanish. Thanks for all the examples. They really helped me!

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by elkikuyo

Thanks so much for all your answers! It is clear now what grassroots is. David, your translation was perfect! It just made it so easy to understand when I read it in Spanish. Thanks for all the examples. They really helped me!

No problem at all, I'm glad to help you. Hope to see you around some more

[Alfonso]

Sure you can use inciativa, David. That's perfect Spanish.
I agree with your translation.

[Tomisimo]

Thanks Alfonso.