DID and HEC Montréal sign a partnership agreement focused on climate resilience and social inclusion
On November 7, on the brink of the 30th international conference on climate change (COP30), DID and HEC Montréal signed a framework partnership agreement that marks a new stage in a collaboration that dates back more than 15 years. Through this strategic agreement, the two institutions will continue to combine their complementary expertise to boost the innovation and development capacity of micro and small enterprises and to strengthen and diversify international economic corridors.
A shared vision centered on co-development
DID and HEC Montréal share a common ambition: to foster inclusive, resilient and sustainable socioeconomic and environmental development. Together, they implement projects that support entrepreneurs, particularly young people and women, in key sectors such as renewable energy and agri-food.
Over the years, this synergy has made it possible to carry out promising projects in several countries, including Senegal, Colombia, Haiti, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Benin and Morocco. "In Senegal, our Renouveau FJ project exemplifies the impactful collaboration between DID and HEC Montréal: it combines training, technical assistance and financial support to promote the economic inclusion of women and youth in renewable energy value chains," explains Gerardo Almaguer, DID’s President and CEO.
This partnership is based on a collaborative co-development approach, where projects are designed with local communities in response to their specific needs. "Through our interventions, we strengthen the capacities of our local partners with the aim of ensuring their autonomy and the sustainability of the results we generate together," emphasizes Luciano Barin-Cruz, Director of the IDEOS Social Impact Hub, Full Professor in the Department of Management and Academic Executive Director of the School of Executive Leadership at HEC Montréal.
Leveraging DID's know-how in inclusive finance and impact investing, and HEC Montréal's expertise in training responsible leaders, and in research and transfer in the areas of sustainable transition, entrepreneurship, innovation and social impact, the projects implemented to date have generated positive outcomes for both local communities and international entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Positioning Canada as a key player in responsible trade
By strengthening local capacities and fostering inclusive innovation, our partnership is helping to position Canada as a key player when it comes to responsible trade with countries in the Global South. It is part of a shared and mutually beneficial development approach, where social inclusion, climate resilience and economic prosperity go hand in hand.
The agreement that has just been signed paves the way for new initiatives that will mobilize the academic, financial and entrepreneurial networks of both partners. It will strengthen ties between communities in the Global South and those in Quebec and Canada by promoting knowledge exchange, inclusive innovation and the construction of sustainable supply chains. It also demonstrates the shared commitment of DID and HEC Montréal to actively contribute to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of climate action, gender equality and inclusive economic growth.