How much funding can be received?

Do you produce community media through print, Internet, radio or television? You can get funding to diversify the kind of Quebec regional information you offer, and to promote community participation in activities that improve the social fabric, such as r

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Eligible activities for this grant include a range of operations intended to uphold the mission of community media organizations.

Costs of labor (including benefits).
Purchase and maintenance costs of equipment or materials.
Rental costs for equipment or premises.
Fees for study and consultancy services.
Subcontracting fees.
Representation and promotion expenses.
Costs associated with primary, ongoing, and related activities of the organization.
Information technology expenses, including digital adaptation and management.
Travel expenses (according to public sector rates in Quebec).

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$30,000

Ottawa

Create a bilingual community newspaper focusing on cultural events in Ottawa.

$80,000

Laval

Launching a community radio station to promote regional activities.

$100,000

Sherbrooke

Enhancing local TV channel content to boost community engagement in Sherbrooke.

$130,000

Montreal

Creating a digital news platform to serve the indigenous communities in Montreal.

$72,000

Quebec City

Expanding a local newsletter to include environmental reporting in Quebec City.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The eligibility criteria for the grant include requirements regarding the nonprofit status of the organization, its location, mission, and activity duration, among others.

Organizations must be nonprofit or cooperatives without profit.
Organizations must have their headquarters in Quebec and conduct the majority of their activities there.
Organizations must be registered in the Quebec Enterprise Register.
Organizations must have an autonomous charter demonstrating that their primary function is to publish or broadcast a journal, an informational website, a radio station, or a television channel.
Organizations must have a mission and primary activities that include producing and disseminating local and regional information, original editorial content, programming, or digital content.
Organizations must offer the population or their members optimal conditions for accessing their activities, goods, and services.
Organizations must have respected previous commitments to the Ministry, if applicable.
Organizations must offer French, English, or bilingual content. If operated in another language, a minimum of 60% of the content must be in French.
Organizations must have been in operation for at least one year.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Eligible types of companies for this grant are nonprofit organizations and non-profit cooperatives that meet specific criteria related to community action.

Nonprofit organizations with headquarters in Quebec performing most of their activities there
Non-profit cooperatives with similar criteria to nonprofit organizations
Organizations registered in the Quebec Enterprise Register
Media organizations operating for at least one year and producing local and regional content

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Certain types of companies are not eligible for the grant, including for-profit entities and organizations not aligned with the principles of community action.

For-profit companies
Organizations not aligned with community action principles
Organizations with media pursuing objectives other than those of the program
Organizations serving a specific segment of the population or targeting content to specific categories of people
Organizations already funded by another program of the Ministry, Council of Arts and Letters of Quebec, or Society for the Development of Cultural Enterprises
Organizations listed in the Register of Ineligible Businesses for Public Contracts, including their subcontractors registered in this register
Organizations that failed to meet their obligations after being duly notified regarding a previous financial aid grant by a Quebec government ministry or organization
Organizations failing to meet high integrity standards expected of financial aid beneficiaries using public funds

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant must be directly imputable to the mission of the organization.

Costs of labor (including social benefits)
Costs of purchasing and maintaining equipment
Costs of equipment or premises rental
Fees for studies and expert consultation
Subcontracting fees
Representation and promotion costs
Costs associated with the primary activity, ongoing activities, and ancillary activities of the organization
Costs associated with information technologies, including digital adaptation and digital management (website, social media, etc.)
Travel expenses (which must comply with current public sector rates in Québec)

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The eligible geographic zones for this grant are those within the province of Quebec. The applicant must have their headquarters in Quebec and conduct the majority of their activities within Quebec.

Headquarters in Quebec
Majority of activities conducted in Quebec

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation of the grant applications is conducted by the Ministry, which reserves the right to limit the number of selected applications based on the available budget. The evaluation involves assessing both general and specific criteria related to the media community applicant's financial situation, plan of action, governance, resource management, community interaction, content themes, journalistic treatment, and quality of content diffusion.

General Criteria:
The financial situation of the applicant (15%)
The relevance of the applicant's plan of action concerning the program's objectives (15%)
The governance of the organization and management of human resources (15%)
The interaction of the organization within its community (10%)
Specific Criteria:
Themes covered and volume of content produced and broadcast by the media (20%)
The use of varied journalistic treatments (15%)
The overall quality of the original content and information broadcast (10%)

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Ensure eligibility by confirming the organization meets all the general and specific conditions outlined in the program.
Step 2: Prepare documents, including the charter, rules, activity reports, financial statements, and other relevant information.
Step 3: Access the service in the online system "di@pason" and fill out the grant application form.
Step 4: Submit the completed application form before the deadline set by the Ministry.
Step 5: Await evaluation by the Ministry, which may include external expertise if needed.
Step 6: Receive notification of the grant decision and the amount awarded if the application is successful.
Step 7: Follow through with required reporting and documentation throughout the grant period, including annual activity reports and financial statements.

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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.

Apply to this program

Overview of the Community Media Support Program

The Ministry of Culture and Communications offers financial aid to community media outlets in Quebec to ensure access to high-quality, diverse information and to support the financial health of these entities. The program targets non-profit organizations and cooperatives involved in delivering local and regional news through various media formats such as print, radio, television, and online platforms.

Understanding the Community Media Support Program

The decentralization and fragmentation of the media landscape have put significant pressure on traditional media outlets. To address these challenges, the Ministry of Culture and Communications in Quebec has developed the Community Media Support Program. This initiative aims to bolster the roles of community media by providing them with the necessary financial resources to sustain their operations and deliver high-quality information to Quebec residents, particularly those in areas outside major urban centers.

Purpose and Objectives of the Program

The primary purpose of the Community Media Support Program is to ensure the accessibility of quality information across different Quebec regions. It strives to maintain a diverse array of information sources, contributing to the financial health of community media outlets and promoting community engagement in media activities.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for this grant, applicants must meet several general and specific conditions:

Applicants must be non-profit organizations or non-profit cooperatives based in Quebec.
Their primary mission must be to produce and distribute local and regional information or original editorial content through a newspaper, website, or broadcasting station (radio or TV).
They must have been operational for at least one year before applying.
Content must predominantly be in French, with a minimum of 60% French-language content if other languages are used.

Specific Conditions Based on Media Type

Print Media

A minimum of six issues must have been published in the preceding year.
At least 40% of the content in each issue should be local or regional news, excluding special supplements.
Original editorial content must account for at least 20% of each issue.

Radio Stations

A valid community radio license from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is required.
Broadcasting must occur between 6 AM and midnight, with a minimum of 15 hours of original programming per week, including at least one hour of local/regional news.

Television Stations

An agreement for distribution by a recognized Broadcasting Distribution Undertaking (BDU) is mandatory.
Stations must be operational for at least 26 weeks per year, broadcasting between 8 AM and 11 PM, with a minimum of 128 hours of original content annually, which includes one hour per week of local/regional news.

Online Media

Must operate a fully functional and accessible website, regularly updated (at least once per week).
A minimum of 20 original digital contents must be produced and published monthly, with at least 10 focusing on local/regional news.

Excluded Entities

The program excludes for-profit enterprises, organizations that don't adhere to community action principles, entities primarily focused on other objectives, such as municipal bulletins or specialized media, and those already receiving operational support from other Quebec government programs or agencies.

Application Process

Applications are submitted online through the Ministry's di@pason service. These applications must include detailed information about the organization, including charter documents, financial statements, activity reports, and other supportive documentation. Each application must be complete and provide exact data to be considered for evaluation.

Selection Criteria and Financial Evaluation

The Ministry evaluates each application based on several factors, including the financial situation of the applicant, the relevance of their action plan, organizational governance, and community interaction. Specific criteria also consider the themes and volume of content produced, the diversity of journalistic treatments, and overall quality.

Financial Aid Calculation

The aid comprises a base sum, a volume-based sum for traditional and digital content, and a one-time amount for digital adaptation needs. The calculation also accounts for entities operating multiple media. There are maximum annual amounts set per media type, ranging from $30,000 for online media to $100,000 for print, radio, or television media covering a full administrative region.

Permissible Expenditures

Eligible expenses include costs related to labor, equipment, rental, expert consultancy, subcontracting, promotion, daily operations, and digital technology adaptations. However, ineligible expenses encompass contraventions, legal fees, personal expenses, tax credits, and reimbursable sales tax portions.

Payment and Reporting

Financial aid is typically distributed in two installments: the first post-April 1st upon submission of annual fiscal accountability and the second following the Ministry's analysis of the media production. Recipients must keep the Ministry informed of any operational changes and submit an annual financial and activity report, with financial statements prepared according to their funding level.

Conclusion

The Community Media Support Program is a vital initiative for sustaining the vibrancy and diversity of local and regional media in Quebec. It ensures communities receive credible, locally-relevant information while supporting the organizations that form the backbone of regional journalism. With stringent eligibility criteria and a comprehensive application process, the program ensures funds are allocated efficiently, benefiting the health of Quebec's democratic and informational ecosystem. The program runs until March 31, 2027, with regular evaluations to ensure its objectives are met.

Help for community media operations

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