Increasing funding for grassroots organisations: a democratic emergency

We must picture a world without grassroots organisations to understand how much they contribute to the economy, society and democracy. In healthcare, social work, culture, education, the environment and other areas, the volunteer sector provides whole swathes of non-market services of general interest to the general public in every part of the world. It is the glue that binds society together. Despite their diversity, they have one thing in common: they see the economy as a means of serving society. But European competition and budget cutbacks are hindering their initiative and commitment capacity and pushing them towards commercialisation at the expense of their social usefulness.