The Minister of Science and Technology highlighted the importance of NIF in grassroots innovation on its 25th anniversary

According to the minister, NIF is helping hundreds of NIF-supported enterprises and more than 25 grassroots startups, some of which generate over ₹10 crore in sales annually.

NIF was established in 2000 and, with DST's assistance, promotes grassroots inventions and traditional knowledge. By providing institutional and policy support to grassroots innovators, it seeks to establish a knowledge-driven, creative society.

The term "Grassroots Innovations" (GIs) refers to local solutions created by civil society actors with little financial support that aim to solve local problems and often achieve sustainable development (UNDP).Early human beings were grassroots innovators.

Crucial Elements

Bottom-up approach: emerge in informal, non-market settings.

Socially motivated: Prioritize the good of the community before one's own interests. GIs tackle social inequities and environmental issues that traditional models ignore.

Creative and inclusive: Encourage the sharing of local knowledge and collective innovation.

The Honey Bee Network in India and the Technologies for Social Inclusion movement in Latin America are two examples assistance.

The primary barrier to grassroots innovation is the lack of collaboration with key stakeholders.

Security of resources is a problem. Achieving stability and growth is challenging.

Issues with learning and governance that are relevant to maintaining the group's growth and progress.

Government incentives, reduced laws, better access to ICT, entrepreneurial education, and a dedicated national policy are all necessary to support successful GIs.