Announcements Third Edition of the Realistic Utopias Micro-Grant msakkal June 11, 2026 3 mins read / News / Announcements / Third Edition of the Realistic Utopias Micro-Grant Ten Years After Patrice Rodriguez On the occasion of the third edition of the Micro-bourse des utopies réalistes (Realistic Utopias Micro-Grant), we wish to mark the tenth anniversary of the passing of Patrice Rodriguez. Conceived by those closest to him, the Micro-Grant emerged from the Memorial Fund created in his honour and from a desire to carry forward the vision of social change that Patrice Rodriguez championed—one deeply rooted in trust in people and communities. Ten years after his passing, his contribution continues to shape the practices, institutions, and movements working to build a more just Quebec. As co-founder of Boulot vers and founder of Parole d’excluEs, Patrice Rodriguez helped shape the history of social development in Quebec. Yet his legacy extends far beyond the organizations he helped create. He is distinguished by a deeply democratic conception of social change, grounded in the belief that those most directly affected must participate in defining responses to the poverty, exclusion, and marginalization they experience. This requires recognizing their expertise, sharing power, and accepting that priorities, solutions, and strategies emerge from collective intelligence rather than top-down expertise. This approach is rooted in traditions of community development, popular education, and citizen participation that have inspired social transformation movements around the world. In Quebec, it has influenced generations of community practitioners, researchers, activists, and community leaders. Today, the issues that mobilized him remain as relevant as ever. Inequality continues to grow. Housing, affordability, and social cohesion crises are affecting communities across the province. In this context, the Micro-bourse des utopies réalistes is more meaningful than ever. Built in continuity with this legacy, the Micro-Grant is founded on the belief that those closest to the problems are often closest to the solutions, and that the most meaningful social transformations emerge when communities have the space, trust, and resources they need to act. Through the initiatives it supports, the Micro-Grant brings this approach to life by backing individuals and collectives who challenge the status quo, organize to improve their living conditions, and place their trust in the intelligence, expertise, and agency of those directly affected. For this reason, we are especially proud to celebrate the recipients of this third edition of the Micro-Grant. We invite you to contribute to the Patrice Rodriguez Memorial Fund in support of the Micro-bourse des utopies réalistes and the individuals and collectives working to transform their communities. Ten years after his passing, perhaps the best way to honour Patrice Rodriguez is the same path he championed throughout his life: creating the conditions that enable people and communities to shape their own future. Discover this year’s recipients Learn more about the Micro-Grant and make a donation Share This Article