Now in its second year, Mouvement, the social innovation contest that provides media visibility, concrete support and cash prizes, is underway.

Developed by Novae and Loto-Québec, the Mouvement contest invites individuals, entrepreneurs, organizations and SMBs wanting to make a difference in their community and environment to submit their social innovation projects by November 28. Whether it’s a new social economy initiative, the launch of a product with significant environmental benefits or a mobilization campaign, the objective is to put forward innovative ideas and make a powerful socio-environmental impact in Quebec.

In early December, the 10 best projects will be selected as finalists and showcased on the Novae website. The public will then be able to vote for their favourite candidates. In January, the 10 finalists will attend a two-day mentoring and networking session at Esplanade with experts chosen by the various contest partners.

The final stage of Mouvement will take place in February: the 10 candidates will make their final pitch in front of an audience. The $10,000 Loto-Québec prize will then be awarded, along with the coups de cœur prizes given out by the other partners: Cascades, Keurig and SAQ. The winners will then have one year to complete their projects and solidify their role as positive and engaged leaders.

“We had an incredible experience with the first group last year: each of the 10 project leaders left with new ideas, a broader network and highly useful advice to help get their initiatives off the ground,” said Mickaël Carlier, president of Novae. “Several of them received considerable media attention afterward, including Loop juices and the online employment agency Destination Emploi. This is the exact intention behind Mouvement: to propel the best ideas forward and help them make the most optimal social and environmental impact possible!”

 
**Front page photo: the group from the first Mouvement contest.