MAPAQ — Prime-Vert — Component 2

This initiative under the MAPAQ — Prime-Vert — Component 2 grant provides substantial financial support for agro-environmental projects with collective objectives. The funding modalities are strategically structured to ensure robust implementation and accountability.

• The financial aid can cover up to 90% of eligible expenses for collective projects, capping at $100,000 per project, with a project duration of up to four years or until February 1, 2025, whichever is shorter.
• For exploratory trials, the funding covers up to 70% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $10,000 per project, with projects not exceeding a two-year duration.
• A minimum contribution of 10% of total eligible expenses is required from the applicant and partners, which cannot come from federal or provincial government sources, their crown corporations, or municipal entities, including recognized Indigenous communities or nations.
• The financial support is distributed starting with an initial payment of up to 50% upon signing a formal agreement with the Ministry, followed by subsequent disbursements based on submission and acceptance of required deliverables and expenditures reports.
• A final installment, representing at least 20% of the aid, is disbursed after all deliverables are accepted by the Ministry.
• Eligible expenses include labor, fees, travel expenses, equipment rental or purchase, communication costs, and administrative costs up to 15% of total eligible expenses.
• Non-eligible expenses include any costs incurred before the request is filed, IT equipment costs, and routine operational costs among others.

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

• The applicant must be a consultant, a legally constituted and recognized agricultural producers' organization, a parapublic or private organization, or a non-profit organization.
• The applicant must act as the principal project leader for the entire duration of the project's implementation.
• The applicant must not derive financial gains or advantages from the grouping of purchases or the sale of agricultural inputs or goods and services in the agricultural sector, other than advisory services.

Who is eligible?

The grant targets projects that address prioritized environmental issues in specific regions, and are evaluated based on several specific criteria to ensure alignment with regional action plans and effectiveness.

• Importance of the environmental problem, alignment with the environmental issue presented in the regional action plan, and collective reach (20 points).
• Quality of the approach or methodology (30 points).
• Expected results and anticipated impacts (20 points).
• Experience and expertise of the project team (15 points).
• Feasibility, realism, project cost, and funding (15 points).

Who is not eligible

This grant primarily targets organizations involved in agro-environmental projects and excludes those not fitting this profile or deriving financial gains outside advisory services in agriculture. Here is a list of some specific restrictions.

• Organizations that benefit financially from the group purchase or sale of agricultural inputs or goods and services outside advisory services.
• Organizations whose operations are primarily outside the scope of agro-environmental advisory work.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly associated with the implementation and realization of agro-environmental projects.

• Labor costs related to the project.
• Fees for consulting and expert services.
• Travel expenses directly tied to the project, following the limits set by the Conseil du trésor.
• Rental costs for land, buildings, machinery, or equipment.
• Cost of materials, tools, inputs, or services rented or purchased for the project.
• Costs related to communication, advertising, and information dissemination.
• Administrative fees not exceeding 15% of the total eligible expenses listed above.
• Additional costs for implementing INSPQ-recommended health guidelines for gatherings, such as sanitary protection equipment and cleaning products.

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria, each with allocated point scores, to ensure alignment with the grant's objectives.

• Importance of the environmental problem, alignment of the project with the environmental issue identified in the regional action plan (PAAR), and collective scope (20 points).
• Quality of the approach or methodology (30 points).
• Expected results and anticipated impacts (20 points).
• Experience and expertise of the project team (15 points).
• Feasibility, realism, and cost of the project, including financing (15 points).

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• Financial aid is provided under specific modalities detailed in the administrative letter agreed upon by the applicant and the Ministry.
• Disbursement of funds involves an initial payment and subsequent payments based on deliverables, with a final payment upon full project completion and approval of all deliverables.
• Prior written authorization from the Ministry is required for any cost overruns compared to the initial estimate, supported by detailed justifications.
• All purchases and services should preferably be sourced from recognized suppliers in Quebec, but exemptions can be requested for justified cases.
• All reports and communication materials related to the project must receive prior acceptance by the Ministry before their public release.