Alternatives

What Alternatives does

Alternatives is a Canadian non-profit solidarity organization (ONG) founded in 1994 and headquartered at 3720 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, Quebec. It functions as an intermediary between Quebec-based civil society and a network of roughly 20 partner organizations across Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe, supporting popular movements on economic, social, political, cultural, and environmental rights through an explicit intersectional-feminist and anti-colonial framework. The organization does not build or sell a technology product; its core deliverables are programmatic services and editorial content rather than software.

Its programmatic portfolio centers on the International Youth Internship Program (PSIJ/IYIP), funded by Global Affairs Canada under a 2024-2029 cycle, placing youth aged 18-30 in partner organizations across 17 countries. It also operates a women's empowerment center, the Centro de Atención Integral para las Mujeres Emprendedoras (CAIME), hosted at partner FOTSSIEH's premises in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and runs the Observatory of Racial Inequalities in Quebec in partnership with UQAM's CRIDAQ and the Immigrant Workers Center. Editorial output includes the bilingual Journal des Alternatives and Alternatives International Journal, with the former relaunched in collaboration with the RÎSE network in February 2023.

The business model is that of a member-supported civil society organization rather than a commercial enterprise. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and is sourced from membership fees, individual donations, and competitive government grants (Global Affairs Canada, Quebec's MRIF via the Québec sans frontières program). Outreach runs through a bilingual omni-channel mix: website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, a bi-monthly bulletin, community radio (CIBL 101.5), press releases, and a recurring events program including Rendez-vous d'Alternatives and the June 2026 launch of the Mosaïque des résistances Coalition co-organized with Naomi Klein. The organization is led by Executive Director Yasmina Moudda and governed by an independent board of directors, with 1-10 employees.

Name

Alternatives

Legal name

Alternatives

Website

https://alternatives.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Alternatives is a Montreal-based non-profit solidarity organization, founded in 1994, that networks Quebec civil society with roughly 20 partner organizations across Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe. It delivers youth internships, women's empowerment, and editorial programs funded by government grants, memberships and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development and Solidarity Non-Profit Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK), In-Country Placement, Homestay & On-Ground Coordination Services (EDAIAGAM)

Keywords

• International solidarity
• Social justice advocacy
• Youth internship programs
• Global citizenship education
• Civil society networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Alternatives is a Montreal-based international solidarity organization (NGO/ONG) founded in 1994 that networks, promotes, and supports popular and social movements in the Global South and North. Its core services include the International Youth Internship Program (IYIP/PSIJ), bilingual publications (Journal des Alternatives, Alternatives International Journal), events and conferences, membership programs, and international development projects in partnership with civil society organizations across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe.

Product overview

Alternatives is a solidarity organization (ONG/NGO) based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, founded in 1994. The organization does not offer a technology product. Its services consist of international solidarity programming, including an International Youth Internship Program (PSIJ/IYIP) funded by Global Affairs Canada, publications (Journal des Alternatives and Alternatives International Journal), event organization, and a network of international partners. The organization focuses on issues including climate justice, digital technologies and free media, food sovereignty, global citizenship education, anti-racism, peace and democracy, rights and social justice, and women's empowerment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Youth Internship Program (IYIP/PSIJ) 2024-2029 A funded international internship program for youth aged 18-30, particularly those facing discrimination, providing work placements in 17 countries. Funded by Global Affairs Canada and operated in partnership with international civil society organizations.
• Alternatives Membership Program A direct membership enrollment program enabling individuals to support Alternatives' mission financially and politically through recurring membership contributions.
• Alternatives International Journal A monthly English-language electronic bulletin on international news and solidarity issues, published by the Alternatives International federation and reaching approximately 5,000 subscribers.
• Journal des Alternatives An altermondialist electronic journal and platform produced in collaboration with the RÎSE network, covering internationalist and alter-globalization information.
• Solidarity Events and Conference Series A series of in-person and virtual events in Montreal and internationally on themes including international solidarity, anti-fascism, and human rights, including the Rendez-vous d'Alternatives series and the Mosaïque des résistances coalition launch.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RÏSE (Réseau international pour l'innovation sociale et écologique)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Collaboration to relaunch the Journal des Alternatives and Plateforme altermondialiste, combining Alternatives' mission with RÏSE's internationalist and alter-globalization information work.
• UQAM's Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Diversity and Democracy (CRIDAQ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Research partnership for the Observatory of Racial Inequalities in Quebec project, with CRIDAQ responsible for the research component.
• Immigrant Workers Center (CTI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Montreal-based center for immigrant workers' rights, participating in the advisory committee for the Observatory of Racial Inequalities and co-organizing events on transnational solidarity.
• Centro de Atención Integral para las Mujeres Emprendedoras (CAIME)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Comprehensive Care Center for Women Entrepreneurs established by Alternatives in 2020 in Honduras, operating from FOTSSIEH premises in San Pedro Sula.
• Association for Progressive CommunicationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with APC, an international network of civil society organizations committed to social justice and digital rights, focusing on digital technologies and free media.
• Association Solidarité des femmes pour un développement integral (SOFEDI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Democratic Republic of Congo working on women's solidarity for integral development, with humanitarian support and gender-based violence projects for internally displaced women in Bukavu.
• Campaña Latinoamericana por el Derecho a la Educación (CLADE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLatin American Campaign for the Right to Education network present in 18 countries, working to realize the human right to education and strengthen democracies.
• Centre tricontinental (CETRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian organization that provides analysis and resources on North-South relations and solidarity, contributing to Alternatives' educational and advocacy work.
• Colectivo Madre SelvacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuatemalan environmental organization defending natural resources and biodiversity, working with indigenous communities affected by extractive industries.
• Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec labor confederation central to social and labor struggles, committed to sustainable development and unionism extending to the union front.
• ELA (Euskal Sindikatua)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBasque trade union founded in 1911 with approximately 100,000 members, promoting solidarity, social change, and working-class interests.
• FOTSSIEH (Federación de Organizaciones de Trabajadores del Sector Social e informal de la economía de Honduras)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHonduran federation bringing together 42 associations with approximately 22,000 members (80% women), working on women's empowerment in the informal sector through CAIME center.
• Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilippines-based foundation assisting citizens and communities in strategic use of ICTs for democratization and popular empowerment.
• Ligue des droits et libertéscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec organization founded in 1963 dedicated to raising awareness, defending, and promoting human rights, affiliated with the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).
• Cultural Media Centre (CMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYemen-based organization working on media and cultural initiatives for social change in the Middle East region.
• CIBL 101,5 FMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontreal French-language community radio station, launched in 1980, with which Alternatives collaborates on media and outreach activities.
• Tadamon!coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontreal-based collective working in solidarity with struggles for self-determination, equality, and justice in the Middle East and in diaspora communities.
• PROTÈGE QVminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCameroonian association promoting environmental protection and improving quality of life for families.
• Media Monitoring Africa (MMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth African organization using technology, social media, and data-driven tools to promote ethical and fair journalism supporting human rights.
• Global Solidarity against Fascism (GSAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransnational network founded in June 2025 by organizations and activists from approximately a dozen countries to build solidarity against fascism and far-right movements.
• Mosaïque des résistances CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Quebec coalition against fascism and far-right mobilization, launched June 3, 2026, with Alternatives and Observatory for Migrant Justice as founding members.
• Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec association of international cooperation organizations that Alternatives participates in, including advocacy on international solidarity policy.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Association for Progressive Communications (APC): International network of civil society organizations focused on digital rights, ICTs for development, and social justice. APC is a documented core partner of Alternatives and shares its digital-rights and free-media advocacy priorities.
• Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI): Quebec's umbrella association of international cooperation organizations, of which Alternatives is a member. AQOCI operates the same international solidarity and cooperation mission in Quebec and convenes the same network of NGO partners and government funders (MRIF, Global Affairs Canada), making it a direct institutional peer.
• KAIROS Canada: Canadian ecumenical justice coalition working on human rights, ecological justice, and Indigenous solidarity. KAIROS shares Alternatives' intersectional, anti-colonial framing and convenes a comparable cross-movement coalition of faith and civil-society partners.
• Centre d'étude et de coopération internationale (CECI): Montreal-based Canadian international cooperation NGO with broad programming across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Like Alternatives, CECI delivers government-funded (Global Affairs Canada) international solidarity projects and partners with local civil society organizations in the Global South.
• SUCO: Montreal-headquartered international solidarity NGO that implements long-term development and citizen engagement projects. SUCO shares Alternatives' Quebec-based footprint, MRIF/Global Affairs Canada funding channels, and social-justice-oriented international cooperation mandate.
• World University Service of Canada (WUSC): Canadian NGO operating globally on education, refugee resettlement, and youth inclusion, including Global Affairs Canada-funded youth programming. WUSC shares Alternatives' youth-internship model (IYIP) and international cooperation posture from a Canadian institutional base.
• Inter Pares: Canadian international solidarity NGO headquartered in Ottawa working with counterparts in the Global South on social justice, food sovereignty, and women's rights. Inter Pares mirrors Alternatives' solidarity-not-aid approach, partner-driven model, and thematic focus on rights-based international cooperation.
• Centre tricontinental (CETRI): Belgian non-profit center focused on North-South relations, critical analysis, and international solidarity education. CETRI is a documented core partner of Alternatives and operates an analogous mission of intellectual production, public education, and citizen mobilization around international solidarity issues.

Regional players

• Ligue des droits et libertés: Quebec-based human rights organization founded in 1963, affiliated with FIDH. As a documented core partner of Alternatives operating in the same Quebec civil-society ecosystem, it is a comparable peer on human-rights promotion, though geographically anchored to Quebec.

Broad incumbents

• OXFAM-Québec: Quebec affiliate of Oxfam Canada and the broader Oxfam federation, headquartered in Montreal. OXFAM-Québec overlaps with Alternatives in social justice advocacy, anti-poverty programming, and women's rights work, but operates at significantly greater scale with a global federation brand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/alternativesMTL
• YouTubeyoutube.com/alternativesngo
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlternativesMtl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alternatives-mtl
• Instagraminstagram.com/alternativesmtl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alternatives