What term refers to activities or projects started by citizens rather than by government?

The term that refers to activities or projects initiated by citizens rather than the government is the grassroots approach. This concept highlights the power and initiative of ordinary people to mobilize and organize for social or community change. Grassroots movements often emerge from the community level, focusing on local issues and leveraging community resources and relationships to effect change. These initiatives reflect the values and needs of the community and empower citizens to take action in addressing challenges they face.

In contrast, community engagement typically involves collaboration between citizens and organizations or government entities, not purely citizen-led initiatives. Top-down initiatives are directed and implemented by government authorities or larger organizations, which does not align with the essence of grassroots activities. Government intervention, similarly, pertains to actions taken by governmental bodies in response to issues, rather than originating from the grassroots level. Thus, the grassroots approach is the most accurate term describing citizen-initiated activities and projects.