Search Results (159)

This study examines the integration and sustainability of solar energy technologies as a tool for rural electrification in Ghana, using the Lofetsume community as a case study. Persistent electricity access deficits in rural areas, coupled with unreliable grid systems and high energy costs, underscore the need for alternative energy solutions. Through semi-structured interviews and surveys, the study explores community perspectives and expert views on the viability of solar energy in rural Ghana. Findings reveal strong grassroots support for solar energy due to its reliability and environmental benefits, despite barriers such as high upfront installation costs and maintenance challenges. The study recommends multi-stakeholder partnerships, innovative financing models, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance solar energy adoption. By prioritizing solar energy technologies, the government, private sector, and local communities can collaborate to develop sustainable and affordable electrification solutions, ultimately improving living standards in remote areas and contributing to Ghana’s broader energy sustainability goals. Full article

Driven by climate change and stringent ecological conservation policies, arid and semi-arid pastoral areas face acute grassland degradation and forage–livestock imbalances. In Sunan County (Gansu Province, China), herders have increasingly turned to off-site grazing—leasing crop fields in adjacent oases during autumn and winter—to alleviate local grassland pressure and adapt their livelihoods. However, the interplay between the evolving land use system (L) and this emergent borrowed pasture system (B) remains under-explored. This study introduces a coupled analytical framework linking L and B. We employ multi-temporal remote sensing imagery (2018–2023) and official statistical data to derive land use dynamic degree (LUDD) metrics and 14 indicators for the borrowed pasture system. Through entropy weighting and a coupling coordination degree model (CCDM), we quantify subsystem performance, interaction intensity, and coordination over time. The results show that 2017 was a turning point in grassland–bare land dynamics: grassland trends shifted from positive to negative, whereas bare land trends turned from negative to positive; strong coupling but low early coordination (C > 0.95; D < 0.54) were present due to institutional lags, infrastructural gaps, and rising rental costs; resilient grassroots networks bolstered coordination during COVID-19 (D ≈ 0.78 in 2023); and institutional voids limited scalability, highlighting the need for integrated subsidy, insurance, and management frameworks. In addition, among those interviewed, 75% (15/20) observed significant grassland degradation before adopting off-site grazing, and 40% (8/20) perceived improvements afterward, indicating its potential role in ecological regulation under climate stress. By fusing remote sensing quantification with local stakeholder insights, this study advances social–ecological coupling theory and offers actionable guidance for optimizing cross-regional forage allocation and adaptive governance in arid pastoral zones. Full article

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is experiencing escalating climate variability, land degradation, and food insecurity, which threaten livelihoods and economic stability. Sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs), including climate-smart agriculture, conservation agriculture, and agroecology, offer promising strategies to boost productivity while enhancing ecological stability. This review proposes that multidisciplinary integration of SAPs, encompassing agronomy, socioeconomics, and governance, is the most promising route to achieving climate-resilient food systems in SSA by 2030. Despite its proven benefits, the use of SAPs remains limited. This is largely because of financial constraints, weak institutional frameworks, and inadequate infrastructure. To address these challenges, this review evaluates the role of SAPs in mitigating climate risk, improving soil health, and enhancing food security. It also identifies systemic adoption barriers and examines the effectiveness of policy and financing frameworks. Drawing on evidence from across SSA, including Ethiopia’s agroforestry success and Senegal’s millet resilience, this review highlights how integrating sustainable practices with postharvest innovation and community-driven approaches can strengthen food systems. Ultimately, the findings underscore that weaving science, policy, and grassroots action is essential for building a resilient and food-secure SSA, particularly within the context of the 2025 global adaptation agenda. Full article

(1) Background: Global grain production faces challenges such as increasing demands due to population growth, limited arable land resources, and climate change, with natural resource and environmental constraints becoming increasingly stringent. Traditional smallholder economies struggle to meet the increasing demand for grain, resulting in a tight balance between grain supply and demand. Therefore, to improve grain production efficiency (GPE), clarifying the specific effects of agricultural production services (APS), a new driving force on farmers’ GPE, is critical for ensuring grain security and achieving sustainable grain production. (2) Methods: Through the super-efficiency Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Tobit models, and utilizing microdata from 747 farmers from the China Rural Revitalization Survey (CRRS), we analyzed the differences in farmers’ operating scales and types of agricultural production services to determine the extent and specific implementation effects of agricultural production services on the farmers’ GPE. (3) Results: agricultural production services enhanced the farmers’ GPE. Specifically, labor-intensive services (LIS) markedly improved the GPE of smallholder farmers but not large-scale farmers; technology-intensive services (TIS) did not have a substantial influence on either the smallholder farmers or large-scale farmers. There were significant regional differences in the threshold effect of agricultural production services on the GPE of the farmers. (4) Conclusions: Providers of agricultural production services should enhance their service capabilities to meet farmers’ diverse service needs. Government departments should establish uniform service standards and regulate industry development. Village and community organizations should leverage their grassroots coordination functions to facilitate the efficient operation of services. In addition, tailored development models should be developed for farmers of different scales, and they should be provided with financial and technical support as well as institutional guarantees. Full article

This article stems from the PRIN GOV_REL (Urban Governance of Interreligious Dialogue) research project carried out in four Italian cities in 2023–2025 and reports on some preliminary results of the empirical enquiry held in the city of Brescia. The Brescia area is characterised by high rates of residents with an immigrant background and a consolidated presence of religious minorities (Muslim, Orthodox, Sikh, Hindu and Protestant groups), many recognised centres (mosques, temples and Christian non-Catholic churches) and a significant commitment of ethnic–religious communities to local public life. This paper examines the creation of grassroots-level interreligious dialogue, seen as a communicative process. The empirical evidence is based on material collected by participant observations and semi-structured interviews regarding four initiatives that occurred in 2024. A sociocultural analysis outlines the communicative frame: text; context; aims; acts; interlocutors and their power/freedom of expression; interactions; results. The article examines the communicative pattern of each initiative, considering an intercultural orientation and a pluralistic model of interfaith dialogue. It seeks to answer the following questions: what was the fundamental message that the promoters wanted to convey? How do the single actors communicate their perspective of religious “others”, and what results did they achieve or not achieve? The analysis leads to identifying the patterns that facilitate and/or hamper dialogue, taking into account misunderstandings and “cul-de-sac” aspects. Final recommendations highlight the recurrent breaking points that should be prevented and some premises to guarantee successful communication between members of different religions in multicultural urban spaces. Full article

Proclaiming Our Roots (POR) began as an academic community-based research initiative documenting Afro-Indigenous identities and lived experiences through digital oral storytelling. Since its inception, Proclaiming Our Roots has grown into a grassroots social movement focused on self-determination, cultural reclamation, and resistance to colonial erasure. This paper explores Proclaiming Our Root’s evolution, from a research project to a grassroots social movement, analyzing how storytelling, relational accountability, and Indigenous, Black, and Afro-Indigenous governance have shaped its development. Drawing on Indigenous methodologies and grounded in Afro-Indigenous worldviews, we examine how POR mobilizes digital storytelling, community gatherings, and intergenerational dialog to give voice to Afro-Indigenous identity, build collective consciousness, and challenge dominant narratives that erase or marginalize Black, Indigenous, and Afro-Indigenous presence. Through a sharing circle involving Proclaiming Our Roots community members, advisory council members, and the research team, in this paper we identify key themes that reflect the movement’s transformative impact: Identity and Belonging, Storytelling as Decolonial Praxis, Healing, Spirituality and Collective Consciousness, and Resistance and Social Movement Building. We discuss how these themes illustrate Proclaiming Our Roots’ dual role as a site of knowledge production and political action, navigating tensions between institutional affiliation and community autonomy. By prioritizing Afro-Indigenous epistemologies and centering lived experience, POR demonstrates how academic research can be a foundation for long-term, relational, and community-led movement-building. In this paper, we want to contribute to broader discussions around the sustainability of grassroots movements, the role of storytelling in social change for Indigenous and Black Peoples, and the possibilities of decolonial knowledge production as epistemic justice. We offer a model for how academic research-initiated projects can remain accountable to the communities with whom we work, while actively participating in liberatory re-imaginings. Full article

This study examines the transformative impact of the Special Zones of Social Interest (AEIS-1) implemented in Diadema, São Paulo, in 1994, as an innovative urban policy tool in Brazil. Rooted in the principle of the social function of property established in the 1988 Federal Constitution, the research analyzes the development of social interest housing projects (HISs) led by housing movement associations. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining primary data from local housing associations and the municipal government with geospatial analysis. The results reveal that between 1996 and 2013, over 20 LHISs were successfully established, directly benefiting approximately 2000 low-income families. These projects utilized a self-construction model financed entirely by families, overcoming the lack of public investment. The findings highlight the critical role of housing associations in organizing, planning, and implementing urban housing initiatives. This model not only addressed housing deficits but also fostered community resilience and inclusivity. By demonstrating how grassroots organizations can drive urban transformation, this research underscores the potential of participatory practices in advancing spatial justice and the right to the city. The Diadema case offers valuable insights for cities facing similar challenges, advocating for equitable and democratic urban development strategies. Full article

Cultural heritage plays a critical role in sustaining community identity, particularly in the face of global economic and cultural shifts. This study explores models of heritage management, focusing on community-based tourism (CBT) as a vehicle for sustainable development. Using qualitative interviews with Lithuanian community representatives and a comparative analysis of global frameworks such as the AHC, ANZECC, and EU models, the paper highlights the importance of community engagement, grassroots initiatives, and collaborative governance. Findings reveal that while community-driven efforts can preserve cultural heritage and stimulate local economies, challenges such as limited funding, regulatory barriers, and stakeholder conflicts persist. Recommendations include formalizing organizational structures, leveraging international best practices, and fostering stronger community–government partnerships to balance cultural preservation and economic benefits. Full article

Fujian Province launched a talent recruitment policy in 2012 to integrate top university graduates into grassroots government roles, aiming to support green development. This study investigates the impact of recruiting “three-high” talents—those who are highly educated, skilled, and specialized—on reducing county-level carbon emissions. Using panel data from 134 counties between 2007 and 2021, we apply a time-varying difference-in-differences model. Robustness checks, including propensity score matching estimation, placebo tests, and fixed-effect controls, confirm the reliability of our results. We find that the policy significantly reduces carbon emission intensity, primarily by enhancing green technological innovation. The effect is more pronounced in urban, economically developed, and non-resource-based regions, especially where public awareness of green practices is higher. These findings suggest that localized talent policies can play a critical role in advancing low-carbon development. Our results offer new evidence for integrating human capital strategies into environmental policy design and highlight the importance of aligning recruitment efforts with regional development needs to support China’s carbon neutrality goals. Full article

Transboundary water governance faces persistent challenges due to mismatches between natural hydrological boundaries and political administrative boundaries. This study examines the evolution and mechanisms of intergovernmental cooperation in the Taihu Basin (1987–2024), addressing how cooperation forms, evolves, and sustains amid conflicting priorities. Using a mixed-methods approach, we analyzed 106 policy documents, government reports, and stakeholder interviews to map governance stages, cooperation networks, and policy themes. Results reveal three phases in transboundary water governance in Taihu Basin: (1) a centralized hierarchy (1987–2007) dominated by vertical mandates; (2) a hybrid stage (2008–2018) with rising horizontal cooperation driven by crisis responses like the 2007 cyanobacteria outbreak; and (3) a networked stage (2019–2024) integrating diagonal mechanisms that bridged hierarchical gaps and scaled grassroots innovations. Key findings show diagonal relations reduced bureaucratic delays, enabling bottom-up practices like joint river chief systems to become regional policies. While grounded in the Taihu Basin context, this study provides a compelling case of institutional coupling that may inform governance in other transboundary basins, where vertical authority, horizontal reciprocity, and diagonal experimentation coexist dynamically. This study offers a model for balancing administrative fragmentation and ecological integrity, emphasizing adaptive networks over rigid hierarchies. These insights provide a feasible solution approach for addressing transboundary water resource governance challenges in similar institutional environments. Full article

This study examines the urban greening community movement through the lens of tactical urbanism as a community-based urban planning model. Tactical urbanism, gaining traction as both a response and an alternative to urban challenges, is defined by active community participation. This approach challenges traditional top-down planning by offering swift, adaptive, and creative solutions tailored to community needs. By fostering participatory planning, tactical urbanism enhances collective awareness and empowers communities to drive development and address urban issues. The emphasis on grassroots involvement ensures a more inclusive and effective planning process. Despite its potential, tactical urbanism remains under explored within Indonesia’s planning framework. This study analyzes the tactical urbanism process in urban greening communities in Jakarta’s urban kampung, exploring whether tactical urbanism serves as a steppingstone to achieving more strategic long-term goals and examining the role of stakeholders outside the community in this process. In-depth interviews with key members of three urban greening communities and thematic data analysis reveal several key findings: the greening movement is primarily driven by personal initiatives; the formalization of community structures plays a crucial role; government and private sector involvement influences the process of maintaining urban greening community’s needs; empowerment and behavioral changes occur within the community; and organizational sustainability remains a key challenge. Based on the findings, it proposes an “organic tactical urbanism” framework as a practical guide for addressing urban challenges in various contexts. Full article

The present study explores the emerging role of “public affairs live streamers” on the short video platform Kuaishou, examining how these individuals have evolved into new forms of rural elites, expanding opportunities for civic participation and rural governance in China. Through content analysis and case studies, the research identifies six key themes central to the streamers’ discourse: land and property issues, financial aid and subsidies, policy and governance, advocacy for the public, educational outreach, and customs. These themes underscore their role as rural knowledge elites who bridge the gap between the government and rural residents through digital platforms. The study further examines the mechanisms behind the emergence of “public affairs live streamers”. Empowered by the platform, these streamers effectively convert their cultural capital into online social capital, which may then be partially transformed into offline social influence and economic returns. However, their empowerment is constrained by the platform’s algorithm distribution mechanisms and opaque content regulation, making the conversion of capital unstable, traffic-dependent, and challenging to sustain. Linking to the broader socio-political landscape, the study delves into the empowering role of “public affairs live streamers” in society. These online rural elites blend knowledge with digital skills to facilitate public engagement and inspire civic awareness in rural areas through their activities. Nonetheless, their contribution to rural governance and civilization is often limited to informal mediation and emotional expression, with limited capacity to foster rational discourse or deeper improvements in rural governance. Overall, this study contextualizes the rise of rural elites within China’s rapid technological and rural development, offering a fresh perspective on how digital media can supplement governance strategies and enhance grassroots’ civic participation. Based on this analysis, the study proposes recommendations for improving platform governance and integrating public affairs streamers into broader participatory frameworks, thereby stabilizing their empowering effects and promoting sustainable rural governance. Full article

Energy conservation management in public institutions is a critical area of administrative affairs, playing a leading and exemplary role in implementing China’s “green development strategy” and accelerating the transition to green and low-carbon development. The evolution of energy conservation management in public institutions has generally progressed from behavioral energy conservation and policy-driven energy conservation to digital and intelligent energy conservation. Each stage is characterized by distinct conceptual foundations, tool selections, key tasks, and value orientations. From a theoretical perspective, the innovative practices of digital intelligence transformation in energy conservation management are deeply driven in China by problem solving, environmental factors, and technological advancements. This transformation is the result of the interplay between the broader context of digital government construction and the specific challenges and structural adjustments within energy conservation management in public institutions, combined with the strong momentum of innovation diffusion in energy conservation management informatization. The innovative practices of digital intelligence transformation in energy conservation management in China can be categorized into four models: the “Technology Demonstration + Digital Platform” model, the “Edge–Cloud Data Middle Platform” model, the “Operation + Platform” split front–back-end model, and the “Intelligent Function Aggregation Platform” model. Each model has unique functional characteristics and applicable scenarios, yet faces various inherent challenges. Currently, the digital intelligence transformation of energy conservation management in China’s public institutions is constrained by the tension between innovation pressure and limited grassroots resources, the diminishing marginal returns and internalization costs of digital intelligence transformation, the inverted hierarchy dilemma, and the “floor effect” of digital energy conservation under traditional governance norms. Full article

China’s rural revitalization strategy demands innovative governance tools to address persistent challenges at the grassroots level. This study investigates how the rural points system contributes to rural revitalization, focusing on Xinqi Village in Ningxia as a case study. Guided by a theoretical framework that links governance dilemmas, institutional mechanisms, and revitalization outcomes, the paper analyzes the system’s formation, operation, and effects. Theoretically, the points system emerges from the interplay of interest-based competition, face-saving mediation, and social empowerment. It operates through a combination of management tools and incentive structures. Empirical findings indicate that the system improves rural revitalization by enhancing ecological livability, promoting civic behavior, and strengthening governance. However, its impact on industrial development and living standards remains limited. Key challenges include unclear institutional goals, poorly designed indicators, and a lack of material incentives. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to refine the system and argues that its application in underdeveloped rural areas offers valuable lessons for wider implementation in China and beyond. Full article

Rural modernization constitutes a crucial aspect in the modernization of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This paper assesses the level of rural modernization in China and investigates its spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and restrictive factors through a spatial autocorrelation analysis and the obstacle degree model. The research indicates that: (1) The overall rural modernization has escalated, with infrastructure and public services advancing at the fastest pace, while the modernization of the ecological environment and governance system lags relatively behind. The majority of provinces exhibit distinct internal imbalances and classified development traits, mainly categorized as the ecological priority type and economic priority type. (2) The eastern coastal areas and the southwest region have witnessed rapid development due to their well-established infrastructure and agglomeration of innovative elements; the northwest and northeast regions have developed slowly, influenced by geographical conditions and industrial structure. Regions exhibit the characteristics of both high and low agglomeration in multiple dimensions. (3) The modernization of governance systems and the ecological environment serve as the primary constraints, manifested as a low percentage of administrative villages, insufficient planning, excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, and a low greening rate. Hence, it is necessary to address the shortcomings, optimize the spatial layout, and strengthen grassroots governance capacities to promote the coordinated advancement of rural modernization. Full article