The City of Blainville has announced the winners of the second edition of its youth project call aimed at empowering residents aged 16 to 29. The initiative, designed to encourage creativity, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship among young people, has once again highlighted the ingenuity and community spirit of the region’s emerging generation.
This year’s laureates, Farina Ebrahimialavijeh, Philippe Raynauld, and Tristan Richard, were selected by a multidisciplinary jury composed of members of the Relève Blainville commission, representatives from the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie Thérèse-De Blainville, the Carrefour Jeunesse-Emploi Thérèse-De Blainville, municipal officials, and city employees. According to organizers, the jury was particularly impressed by the originality, relevance, and feasibility of the projects submitted.
A Creative Vision for Community Engagement
Among the winning proposals, Farina Ebrahimialavijeh captured the jury’s attention with her concept of an “art hive”, a welcoming creative space open to residents of all ages and skill levels. The project aims to provide structured workshops in various artistic disciplines, including clay modeling, painting on different surfaces, drawing, and collage.
Farina’s initiative reflects a growing recognition of the importance of accessible creative spaces in fostering both individual expression and community connection. By offering guided sessions suitable for beginners and experienced participants alike, the project seeks to make the arts more approachable and inclusive for Blainville residents.
Outdoor Improvisation to Bring People Together
Another selected project comes from Philippe Raynauld, who proposed an outdoor improvisation match at the Place de l’étang, a popular public gathering space in Blainville. The event will feature performers from the improvisation league La Pinte, who will compete in an entertaining and interactive format inspired by the well-known Ligue nationale d’improvisation (LNI) model.
Improvisational theatre has long been a staple of Quebec’s cultural landscape, valued for its spontaneity and audience engagement. Philippe’s project aims to introduce new audiences to this dynamic art form while offering a lively evening of entertainment accessible to all ages.
Organizers believe the outdoor setting will further enhance the sense of community by transforming a public space into a cultural stage, inviting families, youth, and residents to gather and enjoy live performance together.
Awareness Through Youth-Led Media
The third winning proposal, led by Tristan Richard, focuses on prevention and awareness through digital storytelling. Tristan plans to produce a series of three short videos addressing critical issues affecting young people, including alcohol use, drug consumption, and violence in schools.
Supported by professionals in relevant fields, the project aims to deliver impactful messages tailored specifically to teenagers. Tristan hopes the videos will be distributed widely across schools within the Centre de services scolaire des Mille-Îles, expanding their reach and reinforcing awareness about the consequences of substance use and violent behavior.
This initiative highlights the increasing role of digital media in youth education, particularly as short-form video content continues to prove effective in engaging younger audiences.
Strong Partnerships Behind Youth Success
City officials emphasized that the success of the youth project call relies heavily on collaboration between local organizations. The Carrefour Jeunesse-Emploi Thérèse-De Blainville plays a central role in mentoring participants throughout the planning and implementation stages, offering guidance in project development, budgeting, and presentation skills.
Meanwhile, financial support for the program is made possible through funding from the Secrétariat à la jeunesse of the Government of Quebec, demonstrating the province’s broader commitment to youth engagement and innovation.
Local leaders believe that initiatives like this not only empower young residents but also strengthen community bonds and contribute to the cultural and social vitality of the region.
Looking Back at the First Edition
The momentum created by the program’s inaugural year continues to inspire new participants. On March 28, the Basketball Royalty Tournament, conceived by Herby Lamarre, marked the first completed project from the initial edition of the youth call.
Held at Collège Boisbriand, the three-on-three basketball tournament drew more than fifty participants and spectators, earning praise for its organization and energy. The event demonstrated how youth-led initiatives can successfully bring communities together through sports and shared experiences.
Encouraging Ambition and Leadership
Municipal councillor Jade Laporte, who served on the jury, expressed admiration for the dedication shown by applicants throughout the selection process.
“I was greatly impressed by the quality of the projects submitted,” she noted. “Even before knowing whether their project would be selected, these motivated and ambitious young people invested enormous effort in preparing their applications and presenting them before the jury. That alone represents a significant challenge for many. I feel fortunate and grateful to have met these young people full of ideas who wish to benefit the community. Congratulations to the winners of this second edition.”
Her remarks underscore the program’s broader educational value, encouraging participants to develop confidence, presentation skills, and organizational abilities that will benefit them well beyond the scope of the competition.
Projects to Roll Out Throughout 2026
The selected initiatives will be implemented progressively during 2026, allowing residents to experience firsthand the creativity and commitment of local youth. City officials anticipate strong community participation, particularly given the diverse nature of the winning projects, which span arts, performance, and public awareness.
By supporting young innovators and offering them practical resources, Blainville continues to position itself as a municipality that values youth leadership and invests in the next generation.
