About Grassroot Diplomat

Grassroot Diplomacy

Pioneered by Talyn Rahman-Figueroa, grassroot diplomacy is a new form of political engagement that opens up diplomatic dialogue to citizens at a grassroots level. Distinct from lobbying, grassroot diplomacy is reserved for members of society without the institutional means to press for policy change. This means that groups and individuals from grassroots level are able to promote a social good and have their policy projects recognised by members of the Government. In turn, political leaders and diplomats are able to strengthen relationships with ordinary people that they are meant to serve, and not be influenced by groups with their own policy agendas. As a result, grassroot diplomacy facilitates a closer mutual relationship between policy-makers and ordinary citizens and bridges the gap between civil society and political leaders.

What is Grassroot Diplomat?

Established in 2011, Grassroot Diplomat is the only diplomatic agency in the world that bridges the gap between civil society and political leaders. Unlike political consultation groups, Grassroot Diplomat does not lobby, provide strategic advice to political parties or manage fundraising campaigns. Instead we provide assistance in strengthening policy-related projects and promoting such projects to relevant government officials and institutional bodies that can make a difference. Some of our services include project management, policy research, political and diplomatic liaison, and media marketing outreach. Grassroot Diplomat aims to support clients and organisations who have limited resources to develop their project and is dedicated in building new and meaningful relationship with influential members of society.

Why consider Grassroot Diplomat?

Grassroot Diplomat epitomises terms known as “citizen diplomacy” and “public diplomacy”, whereby issues of an international nature is taken upon by members of society who do not necessarily belong to a government. As an independent agency, Grassroot Diplomat shows no allegiance to a solitary government viewpoint but will act in the interest of the people, no matter where they are or what political state their country is in. By using diplomatic strategies and connections within diplomatic circles, Grassroot Diplomat aims to connect grassroots-led projects to prominent political leaders as a means to establish an interest to what stakeholders think.

How does Grassroot Diplomat operate?

The diplomatic grassroot aspect of this agency provides a unique and peculiar angle to the mission of Grassroot Diplomat. Diplomacy and the work of diplomats is overlooked when providing advice to charities and NGOs seeking to capture a new market, just as the work of grassroots organisations is ignored by analysts advising its government on current trends. By marrying the two groups together, Grassroot Diplomat is in a distinct and favourable position to provide strategies to clients that are looking to reach high-level decision-makers and ensure that the foundation of their project is strong from the outset before pitching to its target audience.

With a strong database of connections and a backbone of qualified consultants, Grassroot Diplomat is able to offer a professional service tailoured to the needs of small organisations and government officials that are aiming to build better networks. Grassroot Diplomat has partners in over 20 countries with relationships with foreign governments, embassies and commerce, think tanks and non-government organisations.

Where has Grassroot Diplomat worked?

To date, Grassroot Diplomat has consulted with organisations based in Pakistan, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Bangladesh and Haiti in planning, developing and executing humanitarian campaigns.

Over the past years, Grassroot Diplomat has trained and worked with organisations in the following countries:

The Netherlands