Business growth — Digital transformation social economy
Ville de Québec, QC, Canada
Support social economy enterprises in Quebec aiming to undertake digital transformation projects related to their missions.
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grant_single|eligibleFinancing
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grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJuly 09, 2024
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Grant and Funding
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- grant_single|allIndustries
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- Quebec City
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grant_card_status|open
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This grant aims to support social economy enterprises in implementing digital transformation projects linked to their mission. Eligible projects include electronic ticketing solutions for non-profit theaters and data traceability systems for recycling cooperatives. The grant offers a non-repayable contribution of up to $20,000 per enterprise per year, covering a maximum of 80% of eligible expenses such as professional fees and equipment acquisition.
grant_single_labels|projects
Eligible projects for this grant include initiatives that help social economy enterprises undergo a digital transformation linked to their mission.
- A non-profit theater organization wishing to implement an electronic ticketing solution.
- A recycling cooperative aiming to acquire a system to improve its data management for material traceability in compliance with established standards.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$16,000
Vancouver
Developing a mobile app for meal delivery by a social enterprise
$16,000
Calgary
Creating a digital learning platform for a community education organization
$16,000
Montreal
Implementing an electronic ticketing system for a community theater
$16,000
Ottawa
Installation of a digital donation platform for an animal shelter
$16,000
Hamilton
Automated inventory management system for a food bank
$16,000
Toronto
Acquisition of a data traceability system for a recycling cooperative
grant_single_labels|admissibility
This grant aims to support social economy enterprises undertaking digital transition projects related to their mission. Eligible applicants must meet specific criteria to qualify for the grant.
- Social economy enterprises (NPOs and coops) conducting mainly business activities with over 40% self-generated revenue.
- Located within the agglomeration of Québec (cities of Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, L'Ancienne-Lorette) and Wendake.
- Must prove sound democratic governance.
- Must not be in bankruptcy, owe amounts to the City of Quebec, be registered in the Register of enterprises not eligible for public contracts, or have failed previous financial assistance obligations from the City of Quebec.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible types of companies for this grant are social economy enterprises that primarily carry out commercial activities with more than 40% of their revenues from autonomous sources. These include OBNLs (non-profit organizations) and cooperatives, provided they meet the specific conditions outlined.
- OBNLs (non-profit organizations)
- Cooperatives
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Certain types of companies are not eligible for this grant. Below is a list of companies that are excluded from eligibility:
- Companies that cannot prove a sound democratic governance.
- Applicants not discharged from bankruptcy judgment.
- Applicants with outstanding debts with the City of Quebec.
- Companies registered in the Registry of enterprises ineligible for public contracts.
- Applicants who failed to meet obligations from previous financial aid by the City of Quebec within the last two years.
- Projects that are discriminatory, controversial, or pose a negative image risk to the City of Quebec.
- One-time event projects.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for this grant include professional fees and equipment acquisition.
- Professional fees
- Equipment acquisition
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant are restricted to specific areas within the Agglomeration of Québec and Wendake.
- City of Québec
- City of Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures
- City of L’Ancienne-Lorette
- Wendake
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Review Eligibility Criteria
- Ensure your organization is an eligible social economy enterprise (OBNL or cooperative).
- Verify that your organization has more than 40% autonomous revenue.
- Confirm your organization's project fits within a suitable sector and territory.
- Step 2: Prepare Your Project Proposal
- Collect and document necessary information, such as the nature of the digital shift project and its relevance to your mission.
- Ensure the project is not event-based, discriminatory, or potentially harmful to the city’s image.
- Accumulate evidence and details to showcase solid governance and financial health.
- Detail the financial plan to demonstrate both the need for assistance and the project’s viability.
- Step 3: Choose a Consultant (if applicable)
- Select an appropriate consultant to assist with project implementation, if needed.
- Get the consultant's mandate approved by the City of Quebec before signing any contract.
- Step 4: Complete the Application Form
- Fill out the financing application form for the digital shift in the social economy (available in PDF format).
- Gather all the required documentation as specified in the form.
- Step 5: Submit the Application
- Submit the completed application form along with all supporting documents to the City of Quebec.
- Ensure no project-related expenses have been incurred before submitting the application.
- Step 6: Await Approval
- Wait for the City of Quebec to review your application.
- Be prepared to provide additional information if requested.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The grant aims to help social economy enterprises with digital transformation projects linked to their mission.
- Maximum contribution: $20,000 per enterprise, per year.
- Maximum of 80% of eligible expenses covered.
- Eligible expenses include professional fees and equipment acquisition.
- Consultants must be approved by the City of Quebec before contract signing.
- Projects must be within the Quebec agglomeration, including Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, L’Ancienne-Lorette, and Wendake.
- Open for applications continuously.
- Exclusions: Regular operating costs, office equipment for regular operation, charity activities, debt payment, pre-incurred expenses, and expenses for relocating outside Quebec.
Apply to this program
Grant for Digital Transition Projects in Social Economy Enterprises
This grant offers non-refundable contributions of up to $20,000 to social economy enterprises (OBNL and cooperative) in Quebec City, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, L’Ancienne-Lorette, and Wendake, to support digital transformation projects. Eligible initiatives must demonstrate sound governance, financial stability, and potential social, economic, and environmental impacts.
Explaining the Grant for Digital Transition Projects in Social Economy Enterprises
The grant for Digital Transition Projects in Social Economy Enterprises has been designed to support the digital transformation efforts of social economy businesses, including both non-profit organizations (OBNL) and cooperatives, within the Quebec City area. The objective is to help these organizations integrate digital solutions that align with their mission and enhance their operational efficiency.
Here's a detailed look into the grant, its eligibility criteria, covered expenses, and other essential details to help potential applicants understand the benefits and application process.
Objectives and Scope
The primary goal of this grant is to aid social economy enterprises in launching digital transformation projects that are central to their mission. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
- Implementing an electronic ticketing solution for a non-profit theater organization.
- Installing a data management system to improve traceability of materials for a recycling cooperative.
Projects should demonstrate a clear enhancement in operational capabilities or service delivery, promote innovation, and have positive economic, social, and environmental effects within the supported communities.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this grant, applicants must meet several conditions:
Eligible Applicants
- Social economy enterprises such as non-profit organizations (OBNL) and cooperatives that conduct primarily business activities, with more than 40% of their revenues being autonomous.
- The seat of the social enterprise must be located in the Quebec City metropolitan area, including Quebec City, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, L’Ancienne-Lorette, and Wendake.
Exclusions
Several conditions can disqualify an applicant:
- Organizations unable to demonstrate sound democratic governance.
- Applicants not yet discharged from a bankruptcy judgment.
- Applicants with outstanding amounts owed to the City of Quebec.
- Social economy enterprises listed in the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics.
- Applicants who have failed to meet obligations from previous financial aid agreements with the City of Quebec within the past two years and after having been duly notified.
- Projects with discriminatory, controversial, or potentially harmful reputations for the City of Quebec.
- One-time events will also not be considered.
Eligible Sectors and Project Location
Social economy enterprises from all sectors are encouraged to apply, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. Projects must be implemented within the agglomeration of Quebec City, specifically in the cities of Quebec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, L’Ancienne-Lorette, and Wendake. Similarly, the business’s headquarters must be located in these areas.
Funding Details
The grant offers a non-refundable contribution up to $20,000 per enterprise per year, covering a maximum of 80% of eligible expenses. Funding for the development of digital transition projects includes:
- Professional fees for consulting services.
- Acquisition of necessary equipment to support the digital project.
However, some expenses are not covered by the grant:
- Regular operational costs.
- Office equipment for everyday operations.
- Charity activities or payment of volunteer resources.
- Debt repayment or servicing existing loans.
- Offsetting or replacing government support or other existing programs.
- Expenses incurred before the date of submission of the completed application.
- Any costs related to moving the business or part of its operations outside the eligible areas, unless approved in writing by the City of Quebec.
- Tax portions (GST and QST) recoverable from governments.
Other Application Conditions
Additional terms include:
- The consultant chosen by the organization must have their mandate approved by the City of Quebec before signing the contract.
- If the business relocates out of the eligible territories or ceases operations, reimbursement clauses will apply based on the date of the event.
The total active financing for the City of Quebec's economic development programs is capped at $500,000 per two-year period, with non-refundable aid counted at 100% and refundable aid at 50% of its value.
Factors for Evaluation
Applications are assessed based on several key factors, including:
- The quality and robustness of the social enterprise's business model.
- The distinctiveness and innovative nature of the project.
- The project's overall viability and coherence, including the relevance and realism of its financial structure.
- The organizational capacity and experience of the applicant in managing the project.
- The financial capacity of the applicant to complete the project and achieve its objectives.
- The demonstrated need for financial aid.
- The project's projected economic, social, and environmental impact within the Quebec City agglomeration.
Application Process
The grant application process is open continually, with no specific deadline for submission. The required forms and further details on how to submit an application are provided in the funding request form for the Digital Transition Social Economy stream.
For those interested in pursuing this grant, comprehensive preparation, including a detailed project plan and clear demonstration of the project's benefits and need for funding, will strengthen the application. The application must be thorough, addressing the evaluation criteria effectively to stand a better chance of approval.