School Is Loud ! Celebrates an extraordinary April of local, provincial, and international recognition
The non‑profit organization School Is Loud!, which transforms classrooms into podcast studios and offers youth hands‑on audio storytelling opportunities, has just completed an exceptional month of April, according to its founder and CEO, Kostas Eleftheriou. The organization’s achievements span local, provincial, and international awards and selections.
Key Highlights
- Regional winner, Défi OSEntreprendre (Social Economy category)
- Official selection, Web Summit Vancouver 2025
- Official selection, C2 Montréal 2025
- Finalist, 2025 Social Innovation Personality Awards (Maison de l’innovation sociale)
- Launch of a new student‑produced podcast, Pousse mais pousse égal, created by Laval students
A Global Platform for Student Journalism
At the end of May, School Is Loud! will showcase its media‑education project to international investors and journalists at the Web Summit in Vancouver, one of the world’s largest tech conferences.
“This selection confirms that immersive, youth‑led education is not only possible but essential,” said Eleftheriou.
This invitation follows a collaboration with ESG‑UQAM students, who helped develop a digital platform to roll out school‑based journalism services across Quebec.
Local success and social economy recognition
Back in Laval, the organization captured the regional prize at the Défi OSEntreprendre gala in the Social Economy category, highlighting its innovative model. “This is a collective victory: every student, teacher, and partner poured their heart into it,” Eleftheriou remarked after the announcement.
Inspiring Journeys and Social Innovation
As a finalist for the Social Innovation Personality Award, Eleftheriou embodies the power of turning adversity into a force for change. A former student with learning difficulties, he founded this national movement to give young people a voice.
High‑Impact New Projects
In partnership with Laval’s Centre de qualification professionnelle et d’entrepreneuriat (CQPEL) and the Coop Micro Fraîcheur, School Is Loud! launched Pousse mais pousse égal, a podcast in which students explore identity, local entrepreneurship, and artistic expression.
Looking Ahead to Provincial Recognition
In June, the organization will travel to Quebec City to compete as a provincial finalist at the Desjardins Grand Prizes gala of the Défi OSEntreprendre 2025, alongside Fondation Maman, bb & co.
“April was more than a series of awards; it was a statement: every young voice matters and deserves amplification,” concluded Eleftheriou.
About School Is Loud!
Based in Laval, the non‑profit uses podcasting and live radio to provide students with practical training in journalism and communication. By combining media literacy with experiential learning, the organization builds confidence, creativity, and critical thinking in youth while strengthening intergenerational ties within communities.
