In recent years the awareness of a need for sustainable alternatives to the crisis-ridden status quo seems to have increased significantly. More and more people are joining forces in a variety of grassroots initiatives in order to develop tangible solutions. Much has already been put into action, and the number of start-ups is growing steadily.

What role can such grassroots initiatives play in encouraging fundamental changes? What goals are they setting themselves, and how are they trying to achieve them? Are individual initiatives and approaches embedded in wider transformation efforts? And last but not least: What are the protagonist’s hopes and expectations in terms of future developments?