How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $50000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1?

MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1 is funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)

What are MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1's eligibility criterias?

The applicant must have an active establishment in Quebec and belong to one of the following categories: legally constituted non-profit organizations, cooperatives, business groups, municipal entities, recognized Indigenous communities or nations, or public institutions committed to a target for purchasing Quebec food. The applicant must not fall under any of the non-eligible categories, such as government departments or financial cooperatives.

MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1

grant_single|update January 24, 2025

QC, Canada

Supporting Quebec's collective market and agritourism initiatives

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grant_single|openingDate August 1, 2024
grant_single|closingDate August 31, 2024

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Grant and Funding

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Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

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Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)

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The Proximity 2024-2026 Initiative aims to support the planning, development, or consolidation of collective initiatives in local marketing and agrotourism. Eligible activities include implementing market studies, organizing knowledge transfer events, developing marketing tools, and constructing or adapting sales venues. Nonprofit organizations, cooperatives, municipal entities, and Indigenous communities with active establishments in Quebec can apply.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

This grant provides structured financial support to ensure effective project implementation with clear disbursement conditions. The financing modalities are designed to offer flexibility while maintaining accountability and transparency.

Financial assistance is non-repayable and provided as a grant.
The grant covers up to 70% of eligible expenses for projects within Component 1, with an additional 15% bonus for projects that meet specific conditions, such as those in Îles-de-la-Madeleine or involving organic certification.
The maximum financial assistance per applicant over the initiative's duration is capped at $50,000.
Applicant contributions can be made in cash or in kind, requiring a minimum contribution of 30% of eligible expenses, reduced to 15% for projects eligible for the bonus.
Public financial assistance from all governmental sources is limited to a cumulative total of 70% of eligible expenses, or 85% for bonus-qualifying projects, ensuring the applicant contributes the remainder.
Financial disbursements are made in two instalments: an initial payment of up to 70% following the signing of the financial assistance agreement, and the final balance upon completion and verification of project deliverables and financial documentation.
Applicants must provide updated financial information before each payment, detailing the project's financial structure and all public funding sources.

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Eligible projects for this grant focus on enhancing local market access and developing agrotourism through collective initiatives. They aim to improve marketing strategies, business networking, and sales environments for Quebec-based businesses.

Engaging in the creation of planning documents, diagnostics, or studies related to local market access or agrotourism.
Organizing knowledge transfer activities, providing support or developmental initiatives to strengthen local market presence.
Conducting business outreach or facilitating business matchmaking to enhance local network connectivity.
Designing marketing materials or developing commercial tools to better promote local products or services.
Constructing, adapting, or refurbishing sales venues to better accommodate local business needs.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 18,000

Launching a digital marketing campaign for local artisanal products

$ 20,000

Créer un jardin communautaire avec des programmes éducatifs à Sherbrooke

$ 28,000

Developing a farmer's market with local vendors and agrotourism activities

$ 23,000

Creating educational workshops on local and organic farming

$ 22,400

Organizing an agrotourism festival featuring local products

$ 28,000

Building a community garden with educational programs

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

The applicant must have an active establishment located in Quebec.
Eligible applicants include legally constituted non-profit organizations under the laws of the Government of Quebec or Canada, cooperatives, groups of businesses, municipal entities, indigenous communities or nations recognized by the National Assembly of Quebec, and public institutions committed to purchasing Quebec food products while respecting the Initiative's objectives.
The project must correspond to a collective initiative.
The project must aim for proximity marketing or agritourism.
The project must present eligible expenses of a minimum amount of $7,000.

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The grant is open to applicants with an active establishment in Quebec and who fall under one of the following categories:

Non-profit organizations legally constituted under the laws of the Government of Quebec or Canada.
Cooperatives.
Business groupings.
Municipal entities.
Indigenous communities or nations recognized by the National Assembly of Quebec.
Public institutions committed to adopting a target for purchasing Quebec foods while respecting the objectives of the Initiative.

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This grant excludes certain applicants based on their status or financial integrity. The restrictions are in place to ensure that applicants adhere to the grant's eligibility requirements and financial obligations.

Government ministries, budgetary and non-budgetary organizations, state-owned enterprises, and companies directly or indirectly controlled by a government or state-owned enterprise.
Financial cooperatives and banking institutions.
Applicants listed on the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA) or those who have defaulted on previous financial assistance agreements.
Applicants under an order by the minister or a judge regarding animal welfare and safety regulations.
Applicants listed on the Register of Criminal Convictions within two financial years prior to the grant application.
Applicants under the protection of insolvency legislation, including the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Projects eligible for this grant aim to enhance local marketing and agritourism through collective initiatives. The focus is on development activities ranging from planning to the creation of new market access points.

Conducting planning, diagnostics, or studies related to collective initiatives.
Organizing knowledge transfer, mentoring, or development activities.
Engaging in business networking or matchmaking efforts.
Creating marketing materials or tools.
Building, adapting, or setting up a sales location.

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This grant is specifically available to companies that are operationally based within a designated region. Only those situated in the specified area are eligible to apply for funding consideration.

Companies with an establishment in activity located within Quebec.

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The evaluation and selection criteria for the grant involve an analysis conducted by representatives of the minister based on specific criteria. This analysis ensures that the project aligns with the initiative's objectives, has a feasible plan, and delivers tangible benefits to both the applicant and consumers.

The identified problem and the solutions proposed
The project's objectives
The technical feasibility of the project
The organizational feasibility of the project
The financial feasibility of the project
Market analysis
The potential benefits of the project for the applicant
The potential benefits of the project for consumers

grant_single_labels|apply

Preparation of documents

Fill out and sign the financial assistance application form.
Prepare the "Cost and Financing Structure" file for the project.
Provide evidence of availability of funds or financing.
Obtain a quote for each expense exceeding $5,000.
Attach, if applicable, a power of attorney or a document that authorizes the person to sign the application.
Include the curriculum vitae of the involved personnel.
Include a lease with a renewal clause if required.
Add proof of organic precertification if applicable.
Assemble any other documents required by the minister.

Submission of the request

Send the duly completed application to the minister in French, signed by the applicant or an authorized representative.
Submit the complete financial statements for the last two years if applicable.
For business mergers, include a partnership agreement form.

Confirmation of the request

Receive an acknowledgment of receipt from the minister following the submission of the application.
Wait for the confirmation of admissibility which specifies that the application is complete and eligible.

Final decision

Receive a letter from the minister indicating the decision to fund or not fund the project.
If the project is accepted, sign the financial aid agreement.
In case of refusal, receive a rejection letter specifying the reasons.

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This funding initiative has thorough follow-up and accountability requirements to ensure proper use of the allocated funds.

The project location must be available for inspection by the minister's representative or an authorized individual during normal business hours for up to five years following project completion.
All project-related documents must be retained for the same duration, for potential verification.
The final financial installment will only be released after all necessary project outcome data, including indicators of results, have been submitted and approved.
Beneficiaries may be required to participate in a survey or an interview to gauge the project's impact and effectiveness.