DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund

Q: How much funding can be received?

DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?

DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund?

DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund is funded by Economic Development Pierre-De Saurel (DEPS)

Q: Who is eligible for the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund program?

To be eligible for the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund program, you must: • Organizations must adhere to the Quebec definition of the social economy. • Eligible entities include non-profit organizations and cooperatives. • Organizations must have a social purpose and respond to identified social needs within the community. • Projects must be located in the MRC de Pierre-De Saurel territory.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund?

You can contact Economic Development Pierre-De Saurel (DEPS).

Q: Where is the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund available?

The DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund program is available the province of QC.

Q: Are startups eligible for the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports social economy business development in Pierre-De Saurel

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 80% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Health care and social assistance

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund provides up to $3,000 to support the creation, development, and consolidation of social economy enterprises through non-repayable contributions. Eligible activities include pre-startup feasibility studies, the development of social economy projects, and skill development for management and board members.

Financing terms and conditions

Aid is granted as a non-repayable contribution, with the amount recommended by the investment committee of Développement économique Pierre-De Saurel.
The financial contributions from provincial, federal, and DÉPS sources should not exceed 80% of eligible expenses.
Promoters must supply at least 20% of the total project cost, which may come from the organization's liquidity, fundraising campaigns, member financial contributions, asset transfers, human resource inputs, or municipal sources.
The contribution for Pre-start (Volet 1) is capped at a maximum of $3,000, covering professional fees, expertise fees, and costs for consultants and specialists needed for studies.
The financial aid for Social Economy Development (Volet 2) covers capital expenditures like land, buildings, equipment, machinery, and necessary technology acquisitions, with the amount determined by DÉPS based on available budgets.
Competency Development (Volet 3) provides a maximum contribution of $2,000 for pre-approved eligible expenses, including registration fees, didactic materials, and costs for collective and individual coaching training.
Payments may be disbursed in tranches or upon presentation of invoices.
The aid will be reviewed or discontinued if project development does not adhere to agreed timelines or results.

Activities funded

Pre-startup activities including feasibility studies, business plans, or preliminary studies for creating a new social enterprise or implementing a new project.
Development of social economy activities through the creation of new enterprises or new projects.
Competency development activities including training fees related to enterprise creation, new project implementation, or skill development for management or board members.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 75,000

Expansion of local food co-op to increase local produce

$ 150,000

Energy-efficient retrofitting for small business buildings

$ 120,000

Organic waste recycling program in urban areas

$ 200,000

Mobile app development for remote healthcare access

$ 68,000

Innovative STEM camp for underprivileged youth

$ 100,000

Artistic community hub for local artists' collaboration

Eligibility

The applicant must be a cooperative, a mutual, or a non-profit organization constituted under the 3rd part of the Companies Act of Quebec.
The main place of business must be on the territory of the Municipality Regional County (MRC) of Pierre-De Saurel or the project must have significant social and economic impacts on the territory.
The applicant must adhere to the Quebec definition of social economy.
The applicant must pursue a social purpose aimed at creating a positive environment and addressing community-identified social needs.
The applicant must hold or be able to obtain all necessary permits and authorizations for the operation of the organization.
The applicant must generate at least 20% of autonomous revenue.

Who is eligible?

Cooperatives.
Non-profit organizations (NPOs).
Enterprises with a focus on producing and selling socially useful goods or services.

Eligible expenses

Professional fees.
Expertise fees.
Consultants and specialists fees required for feasibility studies.
Capital expenditures such as land, buildings, equipment, machinery, rolling stock, incorporation fees (excluding goodwill expenses).
Acquisition of technologies, software, or patents (excluding research and development activities).
Working capital needs strictly related to the first year of operation or project implementation.
Non-recurrent expenses.
Registration fees.
Cost of educational materials.
Collective and individual coaching training expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

Massueville
Saint-Aimé
Saint-David
Sainte-Anne-de-Sorel
Sainte-Victoire-de-Sorel
Saint-Gérard-Majella
Saint-Joseph-de-Sorel
Saint-Ours
Saint-Robert
Saint-Roch-de-Richelieu
Sorel-Tracy
Yamaska

Selection criteria

Sector of activity.
Entrepreneurial qualities of the promoter.
Knowledge of the chosen domain by the promoter.
Realism of the project.
Market possibilities.
Relevance in relation to the Local Action Plan for the economy and employment.
Structure of the project's financing.
Nature and scope of social and economic impacts on the territory of the MRC de Pierre-De Saurel.
Support of the project by the community.
Chances of project viability demonstrated by a growing sector of activity.
Demonstration that the project does not unfairly compete with organizations offering similar products or services.
Evidence that the candidate can secure enough short-term contracts to demonstrate the project's viability.
The financial aid must provide a significant leverage effect in the realisation and increasing activities of the enterprise.

How to apply

Information session

Participate in an information session at Pierre-De Saurel Economic Development.

Submission of the preliminary application

Submit the pre-admission document titled "My Business Project" to Economic Development Pierre-De Saurel.

Preparation phase in case of acceptance

Prepare a business project summary and financial forecasts.
Send the necessary documents.

Pre-Admission Committee

Present the project before the pre-admissibility committee (no oral presentation required).

Selection Committee

If accepted, present the project orally to the selection committee.
A recommendation is made to the council of the MRC Pierre-De Saurel.

Notification of the decision

Receive a letter of acceptance or rejection.
Provide the necessary documents and comply with the conditions for disbursement in case of acceptance.

Additional information

The assistance offered, in terms of financial support, is capped and is given in tranches or upon the submission of invoices.
All funded projects must demonstrate compliance with the permit and authorization requirements before aid is disbursed.
Acceptance and processing of financial aid requests involve multiple stages, including both a preliminary eligibility check and further analysis by a selection committee.
Lack of adherence to expected timelines or outcomes can lead to the suspension of financial disbursements.
An organization's request for a second financial aid is considered an exception and requires justification of a new project.
A formal agreement outlining terms and conditions is mandatory for all projects approved for financial aid.
The non-compliance or involvement in fraudulent activities can result in the withdrawal of the granted aid.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.