1.
grassroots, the common people, ordinary citizens
The ordinary people in a society or community, as opposed to leaders or elites. Used as a modifier to describe movements, activities, or efforts that originate from ordinary citizens rather than from institutions or authorities.
Grassroots-level exchanges are supporting the relationship between the two countries.
Usage
Almost always used as a modifier (草の根の + noun). Conveys the sense of bottom-up action by ordinary citizens. In Japanese politics and social discourse, 草の根 activities are contrasted with top-down government or corporate initiatives.
The concept became prominent in Japan partly through the influence of American "grassroots" political culture, but Japanese 草の根 movements have their own distinct history in community organizing and citizen activism.