Ten new citizens’ projects that stand out for their innovative, inclusive and mobilizing aspect for Montréal

Montréal, December 16, 2020 – At the end of an unprecedented year, the Maison de l’innovation sociale (MIS) is today unveiling the ten citizens’ projects that will be part of its Civic Incubator as of January 2021. These projects with a socio-environmental impact were selected following a call for projects, whose theme of resilience in a pandemic context and social and ecological transition inspired nearly 110 project leaders to submit their applications.

It is in the context of a rigorous selection process comprising several stages and involving a jury* of professionals from a variety of fields of expertise that ten winning projects, submitted by 19 leaders (most of whom will work in pairs), have been selected to take part in this support programme which will run from January 25th to June 18, 2021. Among the projects that stood out were groundbreaking initiatives focusing on the fight against inequality, inclusion in all its forms, the fight against climate change, the issue of food waste, access to housing and the challenge of urban densification.

“What is clear is that many of the project leaders stated that the pandemic context was a turning point in their lives, a pivotal moment to become more actively and boldly engaged in positive societal transformation. This observation tells us that with winning conditions, such as access to a free support programme, we succeed in reducing the barriers that stand between an idea and its implementation and we encourage the unfolding of the profound changes that are necessary to rethink living together. We like to say at the MIS that there is no shortage of solutions, but an abundance of innovative ideas to be revealed, to be amplified, and which deserve to be explored. We feel privileged to have the chance to welcome and collaborate with so many visionaries like these winners!”

Patrick Dubé, Executive Director of MIS

The Civic Incubator is designed to prototype and to bring to maturity innovative project ideas that have the potential for positive and transformational impact with respect to social and environmental issues. Since 2018, the Civic Incubator has been supporting projects from an early stage of development to a level of maturity such that they can move on to the financing and implementation stage. For nearly five months, these innovators will participate in training sessions, practical workshops, mentoring sessions and group and individual coaching in order to clarify and validate their concept, refine their project’s social impact strategy and prepare for its launch in the Greater Montréal area.

The MIS would like to sincerely thank its financial partners for their generosity and the recognition they give to the transformative power of citizen projects. It is thanks to the financial support of the Ville de Montréal, BMO, the Mirella and Lino Saputo Foundation and the McConnell Foundation that these project leaders are being offered this course free of charge. Each winner will also receive a $750 participation grant. In addition, a partnership has been established with LOJIQ, Les Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec, so that a lump-sum participation allowance of $1,000 will be awarded to those who meet the criteria of their programme.

* MIS Civic Incubator Winter Cohort 2020–2021 Jury Members:

• Laetitia Angba, LL.L., former Project Manager at the Fondation Julien and Client Experience Advisor at the Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM) (SHDM)
• Carmela Cucuzzella, Concordia University, Research Chair in Integrated Design And Sustainability for the Built Environment (IDEAS-BE)
• Marie-Andrée Farmer, Director, COVID-19 and Federal Funds – Community Engagement, Foundation of Greater Montréal
• Audrey-Sokunthevy Nut, Financial Analyst, Fondaction
• Marie-Josée Parent, Special Advisor for Culture on the Executive Committee of Ville de Montréal and City Councillor, District Champlain–L’île-des-Sœurs
• Julie Roy, Responsible for civic engagement, Fondation David Suzuki,
• Mourtala Salha, Team Leader, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Directorate, Ville de Montréal.