ID Gatineau — FDEES

• The financial aid is a non-reimbursable and non-recurring contribution.
• A minimum of $5,000 is available, limited to the lesser of $30,000 per project or 25% of the total eligible project expenses.
• A single non-reimbursable contribution from ID Gatineau is allowed for the same project.
• Up to three non-reimbursable interventions from ID Gatineau can be funded within three consecutive years.
• Total financial aid from the City of Gatineau, including from the Fonds local d’investissement (FLI) and ID Gatineau's various funds, cannot exceed $150,000 within a 12-month period.
• The disbursement modalities are determined by the Committee d’investissement commun (CIC) and approved by the required decision-making body.
• Funding may be provided incrementally or on presentation of invoices and supporting documents.

• The company must be a social economy enterprise in the start-up or expansion phase with its headquarters in Gatineau.
• The company must receive personalized support from ID Gatineau or its designated representative, the Coopérative de développement régional Outaouais-Laurentides (CDROL).
• The company's objectives must align with the guidelines outlined in the FDEES policy.
• The company must operate as a cooperative or non-profit organization.
• The company must adhere to principles such as serving the common good, maintaining management autonomy, and incorporating democratic decision-making processes.
• The company must prioritize people over capital in the distribution of surplus and income.
• The company must demonstrate an impact on local development and communities by creating sustainable jobs, developing new services, and improving quality of life.
• The company's activities must be based on principles of participation, individual and collective responsibility, and engagement.
• The project must benefit from the intervention of FDEES as a crucial financial lever to complete existing funding sources.

Who is eligible?

• Start-up or expanding social economy enterprises based in Gatineau.
• Enterprises receiving personalized support from ID Gatineau or its representative, the Cooperative for Regional Development Outaouais-Laurentides (CDROL).
• Cooperatives and non-profit organizations that align with the objectives of the FDEES policy.

Who is not eligible

• Projects providing non-monetary goods or services.
• Cooperative or non-profit ventures engaged in one-time events, like conferences or festivals.
• Worker cooperatives.
• Health cooperatives.
• Worker-shareholder cooperatives managing a block of shares.
• Projects seeking to replace governmental responsibilities.
• Projects in saturated market niches or causing undue job displacement or competition.
• Projects part of a company's consolidation phase unless tied to a new initiative within the company.
• Projects involving activities that are controversial or would inappropriately associate with ID Gatineau or its partners.

Eligible expenses

• Acquisition and improvement of spaces or buildings used for the project.
• Acquisition of land, equipment, vehicles, and furniture.
• Leasehold improvements.
• Professional fees and expert costs related to capital expenditures and equipment (e.g., architect, notary, lawyer, engineer, chemist).
• Working capital requirements strictly related to the company's operations calculated for the first year of operation.
• Non-refundable sales tax amounts (GST, QST).

Eligible geographic areas

• City of Gatineau

• The creation or maintenance of durable and quality jobs, which are not subsidized by temporary programs.
• The employment of local workforce, especially aiming at unemployed individuals.
• The integration of individuals often excluded from the labor market.
• The production of goods or provision of solvent services, indicating an established or potential market.
• The entrepreneurial aspect of the project, prioritizing the economic viability of the business based on its income-generating activities.
• The capability of the proponents to ensure quality service, considering management skills, community engagement, and networking.
• The pursuit or acquisition of additional sources of financing, aiming for a financial leverage ratio of 3 to 1.
• The financial solidity of the enterprise, needing at least a 15% net worth of the total assets post-project.
• The ability of the proponents or private partners to contribute financially, requiring a minimum of 20% down payment for the project.
• Support from the community and, if applicable, the sectoral organization.
• For projects proposed by religious organizations, universal access to services or products without conditions, except for payment, and reinvestment of all funds in the project is mandatory.

• The financial assistance is capped at $30,000 per project or 25% of the total eligible expenses, whichever is lesser.
• An enterprise may receive a maximum of three non-repayable fund interventions within three consecutive years from ID Gatineau.
• The total financial assistance from the City of Gatineau cannot exceed $150,000 within a 12-month period.
• Financial aid from the "FDEES" serves as a complementary financial lever to existing funding sources.
• Approved financial assistance conditions are defined in a non-repayable contribution agreement between ID Gatineau and the enterprise.
• The project name and financial aid amount received are public and may be disclosed in ID Gatineau's publications or materials.
• During the agreement, the enterprise must maintain its headquarters and related employment within Gatineau for a minimum of five years from the first disbursement date.