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DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund
Support for social economy projects and job creation
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 3,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Montérégie, Quebec, Canada
Overview
This fund supports social economy businesses with non-repayable funding and technical assistance. It helps launch, develop, and consolidate viable projects that create lasting jobs and support social economy activities.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop team skills
- Increase social or community impact
- Increase production or service capacity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 3,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Pierre-De Saurel
- Montérégie
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Non-financial cooperative
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
Scope
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Feasibility studies and business plans for a new social economy project
- Creation of a new social economy business or project
- Training and skills development for management or board members
Documents Needed
- Business project summary
- Financial projections
- Signed grant application
- Financial statements, if available
- Board resolution authorizing the request
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Cooperatives
- Non-profit organizations
- Social economy enterprises
- Social economy projects
Who is not eligible
- Organizations with mainly sexual, religious, or political activities
- Financial sector organizations
- Seasonal projects without year-round viability
- Community or cultural organizations
- Retail and restaurant businesses, except essential local services in underserved communities
Eligible expenses
- Pre-startup professional fees, expertise, consultants, and specialists
- Capital expenses, technology, software, patents, and working capital for the first year
- Training fees, materials, group training, and coaching
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Expenses incurred before the official application is received
- Regular operating expenses, except for the first year
- Debt or loan repayments
- Consulting fees from a company in which a promoter has an interest
- Religious, political, sexual, community, cultural, financial, seasonal, or event-based projects
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
Processing and Agreement
- Pre-admissibility review of the project summary
- Selection committee review after pre-admissibility approval
- Recommendation sent to the DÉPS board for final approval
- Funding agreement signed before disbursement
- Payment made only once permits and required financing are in place
Additional information
- The aid is provided as a non-repayable contribution.
- A second application is exceptional and must concern a new project.
- The organization will be supported by an advisor throughout the project process.
- The funding must be supported by an agreement between DÉPS and the recipient organization.
Frequently Asked Questions about the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund Program
What is the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund?
This fund supports social economy businesses with non-repayable funding and technical assistance. It helps launch, develop, and consolidate viable projects that create lasting jobs and support social economy activities.
How much funding can be received?
DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $3,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund program?
To be eligible for the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund program, you must:
Social economy organization or project
Cooperative or non-profit status
Located in MRC de Pierre-De Saurel
What expenses are eligible under DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund?
Feasibility studies and business plans for a new social economy project
Creation of a new social economy business or project
Training and skills development for management or board members
Who can I contact for more information about the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund?
You can contact Economic Development Pierre-De Saurel (DEPS).
Where is the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund available?
The DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund program is available Montérégie, Quebec.
Is the DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
DEPS — Social Economy Development Fund is a Grant and Funding