Help for community media operations

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the "Programme Aide au fonctionnement pour les médias communautaires" in Quebec must be non-profit organizations or cooperatives without profit that fulfill the criteria identifying them as community action organizations.

• Have their headquarters in Quebec and conduct the majority of their activities in this province.
• Be registered with the Quebec Business Register.
• Hold an autonomous charter and primarily publish or broadcast at least one newspaper, internet information site, or operate a radio or television station.
• Have a mission and main activities centered on producing and broadcasting local and regional information, as well as original editorial content, original programming, or original digital content.
• Provide optimal access conditions to the population or their members for their activities, goods, and services.
• Have respected their commitments to the Ministry in previous grant allocations, if applicable.
• Offer content in French, English, or bilingual, with at least 60% of the content being in French if another language is used.
• Have been active for at least one year.
• For eligible types of media like print, radio, television, and online, additional specific conditions must be met, such as production outputs and content requirements in the previous year.
• Entities in the startup phase must commit to adhering to these conditions.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and organizations based on their operational status and primary objectives. The restrictions seek to ensure funding is allocated to support community-oriented media.

• For-profit enterprises.
• Organizations not established or operated under the principles of community action.
• Media with objectives other than those stipulated by the program, such as distance learning television, municipal journals, or specialized media.
• Organizations whose membership is limited to a specific segment of the local population or whose media content is aimed at specific categories of individuals.
• Organizations already receiving operational support from another program of the Ministry, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, or the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles.
• Organizations listed in the registry of businesses ineligible for public contracts, including subcontractors listed therein.
• Organizations that have previously failed to meet their obligations after being duly notified regarding prior financial assistance from a government ministry or agency in Quebec.
• Organizations that do not meet the high integrity standards expected of recipients of public funds.

Eligible expenses

This grant is designed to support community media in Quebec to provide high-quality, local, and regional information. The eligible activities focus on content production and diffusion across various media platforms.

• Production and diffusion of local and regional news content by community media organizations.
• Creation of original editorial content and programming for print, radio, and television.
• Adaptation and enhancement of digital content and online presence for community media.
• Development and maintenance of community media operations, including equipment and facilities.
• Engagement in outreach initiatives to enhance community participation and access to media activities.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to organizations based in the province of Quebec, where they must perform the majority of their activities. The program is designed to support community media across all regions within Quebec.

• Organizations with headquarters in Quebec.
• Entities conducting the majority of their activities within Quebec.
• Media outlets that serve various regions across Quebec, including regional and local communities.

The summary of the additional information is as follows:

• The programme is aimed primarily at non-profit organizations and cooperatives that have a focus on community action.
• The application must be submitted through the online service di@pason.
• The eligibility criteria are detailed and specific to different types of media like printed, radio, television, and online media.
• The financial aid is typically granted on a triennial basis, though under certain circumstances it can be revised annually.
• There is a detailed process for determining the quantum of financial aid based on various factors, including the volume of content and the scope of coverage.
• The maximum amount of financial aid varies from $30,000 to $100,000 annually depending on the type of media and its reach.
• Applicants need to provide extensive documentation including charters, financial statements and reports, among others.
• Regular reporting and updates are required from beneficiaries, including annual activity reports and financial statements.