How much funding can be received?

The FONDS RÉGIONS ET RURALITÉ grant program aims to support local entrepreneurship and community projects on the Île-d'Orléans, including the creation of new businesses by young entrepreneurs and the development of social economy enterprises. The maximum funding amount is $6,000 for individual entrepreneurs starting their first business and up to $35,000 for social economy projects, with eligible activities including capital expenditures, technology acquisition, and essential training for entrepreneurs.

grant_single_labels|projects

The grant supports the establishment and growth of new businesses by young entrepreneurs and the development of social economy enterprises. Eligible projects include those focused on creating sustainable and impactful enterprises, offering resources for both start-up and educational purposes.

Creation of a new business legally established by young entrepreneurs.
Training programs for entrepreneurs involved in new business creation.
Projects with a focus on agricultural and agri-food production.
Business succession, transfer, and acquisition projects across various economic sectors.
Projects that fulfill a social purpose in alignment with annual priorities set by local councils.
Feasibility studies related to the establishment or consolidation of social economy enterprises.
Acquisition of technologies, software, or licensing relevant to business operations.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.

The applicant must be creating a first enterprise by young promoters, or be an enterprise of the social economy.
The applicant, if a young promoter, must be a Canadian citizen or an immigrant received with permanent residence in Quebec.
The applicant, if a young promoter, must be between 18 and 40 years of age.
The applicant, if a young promoter, must have relevant experience or training related to the project.
The applicant, if a young promoter, must commit to working full-time in the enterprise.
The enterprise must have its headquarters and main activity on the territory of Île-d'Orléans.
The enterprise must be a legally constituted for-profit entity (for young promoters) or a non-profit organization or cooperative (for social economy enterprises).
The enterprise must demonstrate good potential for viability and profitability.
The project must include capital expenditures and be supported by a business plan for the first two years.
At least 20% of the funding must be in cash contribution from the entrepreneur.
The project should create at least two permanent jobs or the equivalent in person/year if it is a new enterprise by young promoters.
The applicant must show that financial aid is crucial for the successful implementation of the project.
The project must not constitute unfair competition and must align with the sectors prioritized by the committee.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The FONDS RÉGIONS ET RURALITÉ grant's target groups include young entrepreneurs aspiring to start their first business and social economy enterprises. Here is the list of who can apply:

Young entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 40 years, who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Quebec, with relevant experience or training, committing to full-time work in the new business, and establishing operations on Île d'Orléans.
Enterprises in the social economy sector, including non-profit organizations and cooperatives, focused on providing services to members or the community, practicing democratic decision-making, and prioritizing people and work over capital.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Certain types of businesses are not eligible for this grant due to the nature of their operations. These restrictions are put in place to align with the grant's objectives to support viable, non-controversial businesses.

Businesses with sexual, religious, or political activities.
Controversial businesses such as matchmaking agencies, war games, tarot, numerology, astrology, and personal growth courses.
Pawn shops and similar establishments.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The grant allows for expenses that contribute to the creation and establishment of new businesses, including specific operational and capital costs.

Expenses in capital such as land, buildings, equipment, machinery, rolling stock, incorporation fees, and similar expenditures, excluding goodwill expenses.
Acquisition of technologies, licenses or manufacturing agreements, patents, software or software packages, and similar expenditures.
Working capital needs related strictly to the company's operations calculated for the first year of operation.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is open to companies and organizations that are physically based in the Île-d'Orléans region. This geographical criterion ensures the alignment of projects with local economic development initiatives.

The organization or company's headquarters and principal activity must be located on the territory of Île-d'Orléans.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria that aim to promote economic viability and social profitability of non-profit organizations and cooperatives.

Respect of the principles of the social economy:
Finality of service to members or the community.
Primacy of people and work over capital in surplus and revenue distribution.
Concerns regarding created jobs:
Quality jobs.
Jobs predominantly for women.
Jobs aimed at integrating target clienteles.
No job substitution or unfair competition.
Respect of the structure of a social economy enterprise:
Autonomy of management.
Democratic decision making process.
Responsibilization.
Services offered:
Quality goods and services.
Pricing.
Development potential for the MRC de l’Île d’Orléans:
Economic and social viability.
Structuring project.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Verify Eligibility
Review the eligibility criteria for individuals or organizations as outlined in Section 1 and Section 2 of the policy.
Ensure the project aligns with the funding priorities, such as entrepreneurship, social economy, and local development.
Step 2: Prepare Required Documentation
For young entrepreneurs, complete a detailed business plan demonstrating viability and alignment with grant criteria.
For social economy organizations, compile documents showing your pursuit of social goals and adherence to democratic principles.
Prepare budgets, proof of personal or organizational capability and any other required documentation.
Step 3: Submit Application to MRC
Send the completed application form and all supporting documents to the MRC of L’Île-d’Orléans.
Ensure submission is done before any deadlines stated by the MRC.
Step 4: Await Evaluation
The submitted application will be assessed by the Committee of economic development experts.
The Committee may request additional information or clarification.
Step 5: Notification
Receive notification of the Committee’s decision regarding the funding application.
If approved, review and agree to terms and conditions laid out in a funding agreement with the MRC.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Entrepreneurs need to engage full-time in their enterprise, working a minimum of 35 hours per week.
The financial aid should contribute significantly to the success of the project, demonstrating the necessity of the assistance for its realization.
Projects must not lead to unfair competition within the region.
Projects that align with agricultural, agro-food production, and business succession and transfer, from any economic sector, receive priority.
For the promotion of social economy enterprises, projects must adhere to core social economy principles, including autonomy of management and democratic decision-making processes.
A priority for approved projects includes creating or preserving quality jobs, focusing on inclusivity or integration of targeted groups.

grant_single_labels|contact

jgoudreault@mrcio.qc.ca

418-829-1011

Apply to this program

Empowering Young Entrepreneurs in L’Île-d’Orléans

The Fonds Régions et Ruralité, under the Politique de soutien aux entreprises, supports the creation of new enterprises by young entrepreneurs in L’Île-d’Orléans. This initiative aims to bolster local economic development by fostering entrepreneurship and facilitating projects that enrich the community and its surroundings.

Detailed Insights into the Fonds Régions et Ruralité Grant Program

The Fonds Régions et Ruralité is an impactful grant initiative aimed at driving economic growth and enhancing community engagement in the territory of L’Île-d’Orléans. The program is crafted to provide significant support to young entrepreneurs, encouraging them to establish their first enterprise within the region. With an emphasis on promoting local entrepreneurship, this initiative seeks to create substantial opportunities for both economic and social improvements by empowering individuals aged 18 to 40 to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys.

The program offers a unique combination of financial aid and educational support. It is structured into two main components: the creation of a new enterprise and the entrepreneurial education needed to sustain it. Under the program, eligible entrepreneurs may receive up to $6,000 to aid in the establishment of their new business. This financial backing is complemented by an additional provision of $1,000 for entrepreneur training, ensuring that participants have the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively run their enterprises. The funding structure is designed to encourage a full-time commitment from young entrepreneurs, fostering both their professional and personal growth.

Crucially, the program is flexible in addressing various types of ventures, with a focus on agricultural, agro-food productions, and potential business succession plans. However, it maintains comprehensive guidelines to ensure that funded projects align with ethical and community standards, explicitly excluding businesses in controversial areas that might not reflect the symbolic identity of the MRC. The grant seeks to underpin not just economic viability but also social responsibility, ensuring projects contribute positively to the region’s identity and the well-being of its residents.

For social economy enterprises like non-profit organizations and cooperatives, the grant provides a framework that emphasizes sustainability, community services, and democratic governance. Such enterprises are pivotal in generating not only economic value but also social capital, facilitating projects that uphold communal interests while being financially viable. They are eligible for up to $35,000, contingent on their adherence to specific criteria focused on creating quality sustainable jobs, inclusive growth, and community cohesion.

Another distinctive element of the program is its emphasis on strategic evaluation and rigorous criteria. Projects are assessed based on their potential impact, feasibility, and alignment with the strategic priorities of the MRC. By fostering a constructive environment for project development, the grant upholds a high standard of accountability and efficiency, ensuring that the resources allocated contribute significantly to the intended socio-economic outcomes.

In conclusion, the Fonds Régions et Ruralité provides a comprehensive platform for nurturing new business ideas and supporting existing social economy initiatives. By offering financial incentives and structural support, it plays a critical role in catalyzing local development and encouraging innovative solutions that resonate with the community's aspirations. This multi-faceted grant acts as a cornerstone for sustainable economic empowerment on L’Île-d’Orléans, ensuring that young entrepreneurs and socially-driven enterprises alike can thrive and contribute to a more vibrant and resilient local economy.