Montreal is characterised by its extensive community network, and the municipal administration recognises the exceptional work carried out by community organisations (non-profit organisations) (OBNL) in the field. These organisations, which are well entrenched in their communities, meet many needs not covered by the public sector, in addition to mobilising thousands of people around shared objectives. The City of Montreal attaches particular importance to working in complementarity with its partners and developing innovative projects which aim to establish inclusive environments enabling full participation by local people from all backgrounds.
On 5 and 6 September 2018 the Office for the Integration of Newcomers in Montreal (BINAM) brought together more than 120 representatives of community organisations for a training and co-creation session geared towards social innovation. The BINAM's objective is to constantly improve its response to the needs of immigrants and to be at the forefront of good practices regarding inclusion and the fight against discrimination. Through this training, the city wanted to show that it wishes to engage actively with the organisations, to connect them with social innovators and participate in their empowerment. Three training modules were proposed to the participants: 1. Devising your social impact, 2. Assessing the effects and impact of your work, 3. Storytelling- explaining what you do.
The training session ended with a co-creation activity during which the participants explored solutions for working better together. There are many very successful projects in Montreal, but some of them serve identical objectives and others could benefit from the initiatives taken by another organisation. Despite the dynamic nature of the local voluntary sector, it is useful, both for service recipients and for the organisations, to learn from each other and better co-operate. The co-creation exercise was a step in that direction: we explored common challenges and possible avenues for partnership. In this way the organisations dealing with reception and integration of newcomers will be able to better mobilise in order put in place projects which encourage newcomers to participate in local life and which reduce discrimination, break their isolation, foster mutual respect and facilitate the hiring of immigrant workers. The discussions during this workshop exceeded our expectations! The participants left the meeting full of ideas and fully committed. It led to closer co-operation between organisations and some important projects were conceived. Together, we can become a collective stakeholder and a source of innovative and inclusive solutions for our metropolis.
The training session ended with an address by the Mayor, who expressed her delight in seeing so much energy and co-operation between the organisations. She seized the opportunity to invite projects to apply for the new municipal grants programme entitled ‟An inclusive Montreal”. This programme has a budget of $3.75 million, to be allocated over three years. The grants will be made to projects which make it possible to reduce discrimination, help to safeguard and enforce respect for the rights of newcomers, combat the isolation of immigrant women and foster their financial independence, reduce impediments to hiring immigrants, and raise Montreal-based employers’ awareness of the positive contribution of diversity in their companies.
