Teaching Paper: Key Concepts in Grassroots Leadership and Community Development: Definitions and Practical Applications for Scholars and Practitioners
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Teaching Paper | NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-grsrldemplcvc-tp-03
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About the Teaching Paper
This Teaching Paper provides a glossary of essential concepts underpinning grassroots leadership and community development. It defines and contextualizes key terms—such as empowerment, participatory development, intersectionality, and community ownership—linking each to real-world applications in non-profit and community settings. Designed for both scholars and practitioners, the paper bridges theory and practice, ensuring conceptual precision while supporting implementation. By integrating classical frameworks from Freire, Bourdieu, and Bryson with practice-based insights from feminist, Indigenous, and participatory traditions, this resource enhances shared understanding, critical reflection, and effective design of community-based initiatives.
Key Topics
- Grassroots leadership and empowerment
- Participatory development and PM&E
- Intersectionality and collective responsibility
- Community ownership and agency
- Capacity building and social capital
- Co-optation, tokenism, and power dynamics
Suggested Citation
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Teaching Paper: Key Concepts in Grassroots Leadership and Community Development: Definitions and Practical Applications for Scholars and Practitioners. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-grsrldemplcvc-tp-03
References
Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In J. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education (pp. 241–258). Greenwood.
Bryson, J. M. (2018). Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations. Wiley.
Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Continuum.
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods (4th ed.). Sage.
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Conceptual foundations of grassroots leadership: Theories, traditions, and critical perspectives. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-grsrldemplcvc-02
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Grassroots leadership in non-profit governance: Community, power, and participation. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-grsrldemplcvc-01
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Functions and roles of grassroots leaders: Internal cohesion, external representation, and cultural brokerage. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-grsrldemplcvc-03
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Grassroots Leadership: Empowering Local Voices. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/grassroots-leadership-2025
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Strategies for Sustainable Growth. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/strategies-sustainable-growth-2025
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Leadership in Mission-Driven Organizations. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/leadership-mission-driven-2025
