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

Last Update: June 16, 2025

QC, Canada

Supporting Quebec's collective market and agritourism initiatives

MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1 at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $7,000 to $50,000
Up to 70% of project cost

Timeline

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

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Grant Providers

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)

Status

Closed

Overview of the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1 program

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.

Financing terms and conditions

Up to 70% of eligible project expenses may be covered through non-repayable financial aid, with a maximum of $50,000 per applicant for the duration of the initiative.
A 15% increase to the funding rate (totaling up to 85% aid) is available if the project is conducted in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine agglomeration or exclusively involves precertified or certified organic products.
Applicants and their partners must provide a minimum contribution of 30% of eligible expenses; this drops to 15% for projects eligible for the increased funding rate.
Financial aid is disbursed in two payments: up to 70% upon signing the funding agreement and the remaining balance after submission and acceptance of required documentation and deliverables.
The combined total of public funding (including tax credits and support from other government sources) must not exceed 70% of the project’s eligible expenses, or 85% for projects qualifying for the bonus rate.

Eligible projects & activities

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:

$ 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

$ 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

Building a community garden with educational programs

Eligibility criteria of the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1 program

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 to the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 1 program

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.