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MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1

Q: How much funding can be received?

MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1 Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program was August 31, 2024.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1?

You can contact Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ).

Q: Where is the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1 available?

The MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1 program is available the province of Quebec.

Last Update: March 3, 2026

Quebec, Canada

Supporting Quebec's collective market and agritourism initiatives

Grant and Funding

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Overview

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.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Selling in a new market

Marketing a product

Eligible Funding

Maximum amount : 50,000 $
Minimum amount : 7,000 $
Up to 70% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : August 1, 2024
Closing date : August 31, 2024

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Location

Quebec

Legal structures

Non-profit
Public or Parapublic institution
For-profit business
Social economy enterprise
Non-financial cooperative

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

Indigenous Peoples
Rural or Northern Residents

Non-profit candidates

Sector of operation

Environment
Economic, Social and Community Development

Target groups

Indigenous peoples
Rural / Remote communities
Business owners / entrepreneurs
Nonprofits / charities
Community leaders

Revenue structures

All structures

Scope

Local
Municipal
Regional
Provincial
National

Activities funded

Planning, developing, or consolidating collective initiatives in local direct marketing or agrotourism.
Conducting project planning, diagnostics, or studies for collective initiatives.
Organizing activities for knowledge transfer, support, or development within collective projects.
Facilitating business networking or partnership development related to collective direct marketing or agrotourism initiatives.
Designing promotional or sales support materials and tools, including facility construction, adaptation, or development of points of sale.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 23,000

Creating educational workshops on local and organic farming

$ 22,400

Organizing an agrotourism festival featuring local products

$ 28,000

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

$ 28,000

Building a community garden with educational programs

$ 20,000

Créer un jardin communautaire avec des programmes éducatifs à Sherbrooke

$ 18,000

Launching a digital marketing campaign for local artisanal products

Eligibility

The applicant must have an active establishment located in Quebec.
Eligible applicants include legally constituted non-profit organizations, cooperatives, business groupings, municipal entities, recognized Indigenous communities or nations, or public institutions committed to a target for purchasing Quebec foods.
The project must be a collective initiative aimed at planning, developing, or consolidating proximity marketing or agrotourism initiatives.
The project must fall within one of the eligible activity categories, such as planning, diagnostics or studies; knowledge transfer, support or development activities; business networking or matchmaking; marketing tools or materials development; or construction or adaptation of a sales venue.

Who is not eligible

Government ministries, budgetary and non-budgetary agencies, and Crown corporations, as well as entities controlled directly or indirectly by a provincial or federal government or a Crown corporation.
Financial cooperatives and banking institutions.
Applicants listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA), including their subcontractors.
Applicants under bankruptcy protection, insolvency, or creditor arrangement laws.
Applicants who have failed to meet obligations related to previous financial aid, or are subject to certain legal or regulatory sanctions at the time of application.

Eligible geographic areas

Quebec

How to 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.

Additional information

Applicants must retain all project-related documents for a minimum of five years following project completion, for audit and evaluation purposes.
Projects may be subject to site visits or assessments by Ministry representatives during implementation and up to five years after completion.
Regular reporting and provision of supporting documents or deliverables may be required as specified in the funding agreement.
Funding availability depends on the adoption of necessary budgetary credits by the National Assembly of Quebec, and the Ministry may limit the number of funded applications based on available resources.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1 Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1?

How much funding can be received?

What is the deadline to apply?

Who is eligible for the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1 program?

To be eligible for the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1 program, you must: 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.

What expenses are eligible under MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1?

Planning, developing, or consolidating collective initiatives in local direct marketing or agrotourism. Conducting project planning, diagnostics, or studies for collective initiatives. Organizing activities for knowledge transfer, support, or development within collective projects. Facilitating business networking or partnership development related to collective direct marketing or agrotourism initiatives. Designing promotional or sales support materials and tools, including facility construction, adaptation, or development of points of sale.