A portrait of social innovation in Quebec

Through its Innovation Barometer, the Quebec Innovation Council is continuing its efforts to develop specific measures for social innovation (SI). With this in mind, an initial study was conducted, and the results offer valuable insight into the state of social innovation in Quebec. The study was a pilot project conducted between May 5 and June 29, 2023, in the Bas-Saint-Laurent, Lanaudière, Montreal, and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean regions. 

The survey analyzed 48 social innovation projects, providing essential data on project development phases, stakeholders, funding, impact assessment, and support received. The main findings reveal the diversity of initiatives and the challenges they face. In particular, it appears that less than half of the projects have implemented evaluation processes to characterize, understand, measure, or assess the effects generated by the projects and organizations on stakeholders. 

This survey highlights the growing importance of social innovation in Quebec and calls for a collective commitment to deepen our understanding and evaluation of its impacts. The Quebec Innovation Council remains at the forefront of this dynamic, working to better understand how social innovation can play a central role in the development of our communities. 

Discover the complete portrait (in french only)