DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund

• 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

• 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.

• 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.