How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $200000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Assistance program for organizations working for the economic development of Quebec (PAODEQ)

Q: What are Assistance program for organizations working for the economic development of Quebec (PAODEQ)'s eligibility criterias?

Not eligible for profit-making companies having an establishment in Quebec. The applicant must not be a crown corporation or an entity controlled by a government. The applicant must not be registered in the Registry of non-eligible businesses for public contracts (RENA).

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports Quebec organizations promoting regional export development and capacity

Assistance program for organizations working for the economic development of Quebec (PAODEQ) at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $200,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Archived

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

All industries

Grant Providers

Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)

Status

Archived

Overview of the Assistance program for organizations working for the economic development of Quebec (PAODEQ) program

The Assistance Program for Organizations Working for the Economic Development of Quebec (PAODEQ) provides non-repayable funding of up to $200,000 per year (maximum $600,000 over three years) to support the operational costs of regional organizations that promote export activities. The program aims to strengthen the international commercial capacity of Quebec businesses by supporting eligible activities related to export awareness, training, and regional business support services.

Financing terms and conditions

Non-repayable grant covering up to 50% of eligible expenses.
The combined total of government contributions cannot exceed 85% of eligible expenses.
Annual funding capped at $200,000 per organization.
Total funding capped at $600,000 per organization over a continuous 36-month period.

Eligible projects & activities

Operating activities that support regional export promotion services.
Providing regional guidance and support to businesses in preparing for and entering export markets.
Raising awareness among Quebec businesses about export growth opportunities.
Developing and delivering export-related training and promotional activities for businesses.

Eligibility criteria of the Assistance program for organizations working for the economic development of Quebec (PAODEQ) program

The applicant must be a regional export promotion organization (ORPEX) designated to implement export strategies and support companies with export awareness, training, and activities outside Quebec.
The applicant must not be listed on the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
The applicant must have fulfilled all previous financial aid obligations to the Quebec government or Investissement Québec for at least two years.
The applicant must not be a Crown corporation or controlled directly or indirectly by a government, municipal entity, or majority-owned by a Crown corporation.
The applicant must not be a for-profit business with an establishment in Quebec, in bankruptcy, or insolvency.

Who is eligible?

Regional export promotion organizations (ORPEX) identified for implementing export strategies and supporting businesses in export awareness, training, and activities outside Quebec.

Who is not eligible

Businesses seeking profit (for-profit companies) with an establishment in Quebec.
Crown corporations or entities directly or indirectly controlled by any level of government (municipal, provincial, or federal).
Entities that are currently bankrupt or insolvent.
Organizations or subcontractors listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
Organizations that have not complied with previous government or Investissement Québec financial aid obligations within the last two years.

Eligible expenses

Administrative expenses
Remuneration (salaries and wages)
Operating costs

Eligible geographic areas

Quebec

Eligibility criteria of the Assistance program for organizations working for the economic development of Quebec (PAODEQ) program

Consistency between the organization's mission, the program objectives, and government priorities.
Track record of the organization's performance in meeting established targets.
Quality of the action plan and result indicators, assessing the coherence between planned activities, available resources, and targets to be achieved.
Capacity of the organization to successfully fulfill its mandate regarding financial and human resources.
Relevance of the organization’s contribution to addressing the needs of Quebec’s industry and its businesses.
Quality of the documentation provided.
Adoption and implementation of eco-responsible practices (recycling, sustainable development action plans, etc.).

How to apply to the Assistance program for organizations working for the economic development of Quebec (PAODEQ) program

Prepare the application form

Download and save the financial assistance application form on your computer
Ensure you have Adobe Reader version 10 or higher
Do not fill out the form in a web browser
Do not modify the PDF document

Complete and gather documents

Complete the financial assistance application form
Gather the required documents: financial statements, detailed forecast budget, strategic plan and annual action plan, latest annual activity report, service offers and partnerships, compliance declaration, francization certificate, any other required document
Ensure all documents are up to date and relevant

Submit the application

Sign the completed application form
Email the signed form and all required documents
Include "Support for export promotion organizations" in the subject line
Send application before March 31, 2026
Use the email address: pexeq@economie.gouv.qc.ca

Application evaluation

Your application will be analyzed for eligibility
Evaluation based on alignment with program objectives and government priorities
Assessment of organizational performance, action plan quality, resource capacity, and eco-friendly practices

Submit accountability documents

If approved, submit supporting documents proving activities were completed
Provide evidence for expenses incurred using the provided template
Submit an annual activity report and, if required, an external auditor’s report
Include any additional annexes listed in the grant agreement

Additional information

Applicants must ensure submitted forms are filled out using Adobe Reader (version 10 or higher), not within a web browser.
Supporting documentation such as annual reports, service offers, partnership agreements, and certifications (if applicable) may be required during submission.
Reporting obligations include providing verification documents such as external auditor reports and detailed activity reports, as requested in the grant agreement.
The last update to the program information was on March 26, 2024.