Regenerative Innovation Hub
Wellness | Tourism | Biodiversity
To make Abitibi-Témiscamingue a resource territory where economic prosperity is based on the regeneration of biodiversity and the well-being of communities — a showcase for innovation where entrepreneurs, institutions and regional partners join forces to test, validate and propel regenerative economic models capable of shining in Quebec, Canada and internationally.
Incubés du programme Empreinte+
Are you developing a solution that can contribute to the regeneration of territories, the well-being of communities and biodiversity?
The Regenerative Innovation Hub is launching a call to support 5 projects in a 6-month journey combining:
- Workshops (responsible business model, financing, impact measurement, etc.)
- One-on-one coaching and specialized mentoring
- Co-creation activities with communities
- Networking with regional and national partners
- And more!
The objective: to help you validate the economic model of your project and maximize your chances of subsequently accessing financing, partnerships and markets.
To find out more (challenges, opportunities, examples of projects, timeline) click on the link below.
Call for applications
Regenerative innovation
Are you developing a solution that can contribute to the regeneration of territories, the well-being of communities and biodiversity?
The Regenerative Innovation Hub is launching a call to support 5 projects in a 6-month journey combining:
- Workshops (responsible business model, financing, impact measurement, etc.)
- One-on-one coaching and specialized mentoring
- Co-creation activities with communities
- Networking with regional and national partners
- And more!
The objective: to help you validate the economic model of your project and maximize your chances of subsequently accessing financing, partnerships and markets.
To find out more (challenges, opportunities, examples of projects, timeline) click on the link below.
Deadline for submission:
November 16, 2025, 6 p.m. EST
Dates not to be missed
Virtual information session
Closing of the call applications
Pre-selection workshops
Start of the program
6
November 2025
16
November
2025
27
November
4
December
7
January
2026
What is regenerative innovation?
Serving communities and the environment
For the Regenerative Innovation Hub, innovation means going beyond simply reducing negative impacts. It is about developing solutions that repair, revitalize and enrich ecosystems and communities, while demonstrating their economic viability. Each selected project is therefore called upon to combine positive impact and business potential, in order to make a concrete contribution to the sustainable prosperity of the territory.
The 2025-2026 axes in regenerative innovation
WELL-BEING AND SOCIAL COHESION
- Knowledge of communities: better understand local communities, visitors and their expectations to develop adapted solutions.
- Dialogue and hospitality: strengthening trust and social acceptability through approaches of reception, mediation and consultation.
- Sustainable mobility: improving the accessibility of the region and intra-regional mobility, integrating the needs of local communities and visitors.
- Immersive experiences : designing creative and responsible activities, and preserving the memory of places and neighbourhoods that will disappear thanks to digital tools.
BIODIVERSITY AND TERRITORIES
- Rehabilitation and uses: transforming former mining or forestry sites, and rethinking access to public land in a sustainable way.
- Workforce and know-how: create quality jobs, promote artisanal and cultural know-how, and attract new talent.
- Enhancement and transmission: to enhance ecosystems and the food forest that enhance the cultural, natural and built heritage.
- Tangible impact: measure the benefits for local people while generating solutions that reduce the environmental footprint.
Deadline for submission:
November 16, 2025 6pm EST
Journée d’innovation régénérative en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Ce premier rassemblement vise à mobiliser les acteurs clés de l’écosystème touristique, économique et social de la région pour amorcer un mouvement concret, ancré dans le territoire.
Pensée comme un espace de dialogue, de collaboration et d’action, cette journée se veut un point de départ. Un moment pour s’aligner, se connecter et faire émerger des projets porteurs qui contribueront à positionner la région comme un leader en innovation régénérative.
Au programme :
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Conférence sur l’innovation régénérative en Abitibi-Témiscamingue par Nancy Picard, Eco Transition
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Table ronde sur les priorités régionales et les enjeux terrain
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Présentation de solutions concrètes et innovantes
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Sessions de maillage ciblé entre partenaires et porteurs de solutions
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Atelier de co-développement pour faire émerger des pistes d’action concrètes
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Cocktail réseautage pour poursuivre les échanges et activer les collaborations
Committed partners and collaborators
Long recognized for promoting the natural and cultural diversity of its destination, it is committed to supporting local tourism entrepreneurs, sustainable and innovative solutions that bring substantial benefits to the local population and provide visitors with authentic and memorable experiences, with a regenerative impact.
Born from the discovery of a gold deposit 100 years ago, Rouyn-Noranda is now a city of knowledge and innovation. Aware of the environmental challenges inherited from the past and the present, it chooses to go further to regenerate its territory and build a sustainable future. Regenerative innovation is thus becoming an essential lever to ensure environmental and social growth that matches its attractiveness and the pride of its community.
Entreprise minière reconnue pour son leadership en matière de pratiques responsables, Agnico Eagle s’engage à concilier performance économique, protection de l’environnement et contribution positive aux communautés d’accueil. Par son implication au sein du Pôle, elle souhaite contribuer activement à l’émergence de solutions innovantes qui renforcent la biodiversité, le tissu social et l’attractivité durable des territoires.
Acteur clé du développement minier responsable, Eldorado Gold Québec place la collaboration avec les communautés et l’amélioration continue de ses pratiques environnementales au cœur de ses actions. Son engagement dans le Pôle vise à soutenir des initiatives régénératives concrètes, favorisant la mise en valeur du territoire, le transfert de connaissances et la création de retombées positives durables pour la région.
The Global Centre of Excellence for Destinations (CED) contributes to raising destinations around the world to a level of excellence to improve their competitiveness and the quality of experiences offered to tourists, as well as help them achieve their sustainable development goals.
UQAT brings to the Hub its cutting-edge scientific expertise in biodiversity and mine site restoration, bridging the gap between university research, industry and territorial innovation.
In the media
Radio-Canada, 30 mars 2026 : Un pôle d’innovation pour le tourisme durable est lancé à Rouyn-Noranda
TourismExpress, 17 février 2026 : Le Pôle d’innovation régénérative confie sa direction à France Lemire
TourismExpress, 15 octobre 2025 : Le MT Lab lance deux nouveaux pôles d’innovation pour propulser la transformation du tourisme québécois
Publication LinkedIn, 1er octobre 2025 : Secrétariat de la convention sur la diversité biologique au MT Lab
Radio-Canada, August 28, 2025: A regenerative tourism innovation hub arrives in Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Le Devoir, February 22, 2025: Tourism to revitalize resource regions
La Presse, October 24, 2024: Positive tourism for the environment; Abitibi in seduction mode at COP16
