Grassroots innovation: equipping universities for post-development

The Brazilian university has two distinct roles. On the one hand, it aligns with the country's developmental and progress objectives, on the other, it is consolidated as a space for emancipatory practices for local communities. The present work discusses this second role of the university, arguing that there is an intrinsic relationship between university, grassroot innovation and post-development. To this end, the article starts from three basic references: the social function of the university, pluriverse and post- development and grassroots innovation. It is noteworthy that, on the one hand, grassroot innovations are emancipatory innovations that universities can make use of to fulfill their social function. The idea of a pluriverse, on the other hand, can direct this innovation to local communities, based on emancipation and well-being, as discussed by post- development.