Blog
During my time in the United States, I found myself coming back to one question: where does change truly begin? Is it driven by high-level policies and institutional power, or does it stem from the actions of individuals and communities tackling challenges on the ground?
In discussions with professors and fellow scholars, we debated and explored this question from many angles. Though opinions varied, we agreed on one thing—both approaches play invaluable roles in fostering meaningful change.
In discussions with professors and fellow scholars, we debated and explored this question from many angles. Though opinions varied, we agreed on one thing—both approaches play invaluable roles in fostering meaningful change.
My Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe (SUSI) program brought this idea to life in powerful and transformative ways. As I immersed myself in different environments across the U.S., from urban centers to rural landscapes, I saw firsthand how top-down and bottom-up approaches often converge.
Fulbright Finland’s motto, ‘Together Shaping the Future,’ took on new meaning for me during my time in the U.S. It captured the essence of what I witnessed: the impact of collective efforts, showing how local initiatives contribute to a shared global vision.
The role of institutional support in top-down change
One of the clearest examples of top-down change was the program itself. By supporting the young leaders I met during the program, the SUSI enabled a flow of knowledge and resources that might not otherwise have been possible.
Fulbright Finland’s motto, ‘Together Shaping the Future,’ took on new meaning for me during my time in the U.S. It captured the essence of what I witnessed: the impact of collective efforts, showing how local initiatives contribute to a shared global vision.
I might not have crossed paths with the amazing people from over 19 countries - whose stories, opinions and laughter inevitably left a mark on my life. The program’s structure, resources, and network provided a foundational support system that made my experience in the U.S. possible and meaningful.
This top-down support offered the tools I needed to engage with local projects, learn from them, and ultimately bring these insights back home to Finland.
Bottom-up change: Lessons from local communities
Yet, I witnessed some of the most impactful changes from the grassroots level.
One experience that moved me deeply was our visit to The Bridge Eco-Village, an innovative urban community project led by CEO Garry Gilliam Jr., inspired by his experience at the Milton Hershey School. The Bridge is designed to address social, economic, and environmental challenges through an empowerment system, transforming properties such as schools, malls, warehouses and land, into eco-villages.
I watched individuals, sometimes without substantial resources, drive change in their communities. Their commitment to sustainable practices and problem-solving showed me that bottom-up initiatives can have far-reaching effects, inspiring others and laying the groundwork for larger, systemic solutions.
Seeing the young people working, the yet run-down building soon to be filled with the community’s vision, and the tucked-away green oasis offering a safe space, made me unexpectedly emotional. I had no trouble seeing how this concept could change the world. It unlocked old dreams and grit that led me through my time in the U.S. and reminded me that big ideas don’t always start big. Sometimes, they begin with a simple commitment to address a problem close to home, growing over time to create ripples of change.
To make a difference, we need both the structure and resources that institutions provide and the passion and innovation that individuals and communities bring. Whether from the top down or the bottom up, change is most powerful when it flows in both directions.
Local solutions for global problems
These local solutions are stepping stones toward global change, and they highlight the importance of community-driven efforts. But just as these initiatives are essential, so are the top-down frameworks that allow such projects to thrive and spread.
Without higher-level support, community-driven solutions can remain isolated and struggle to reach their full potential. And without the community-driven energy from the ground up, top-down efforts could lose touch with the people they aim to serve.
To make a difference, we need both the structure and resources that institutions provide and the passion and innovation that individuals and communities bring. Whether from the top down or the bottom up, change is most powerful when it flows in both directions.
Nihal Koymatli
2024 Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe
Nihal Koymatli is a BBA student and polyglot with international experience across 16 countries, including China and the United States. She has a strong interest in environmental diplomacy, crisis management and international security politics.
