(MAPAQ) - Ministerial initiative Proximity - Component 2
QC, Canada
The Proximity Initiative 2024-2026 empowers Quebec-based agricultural and food transformation businesses to develop local market strategies and agrotourism.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateAugust 01, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateOctober 31, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
grant_single|grantors
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The Proximité 2024-2026 initiative aims to support the development and consolidation of local marketing and agritourism initiatives through the implementation of a commercialization plan. Eligible applicants include active agricultural operations and food processing companies in Quebec, with projects needing to present at least $5,000 in admissible expenses and focusing on relational or geographical proximity marketing or agritourism.
grant_single_labels|projects
Eligible projects and activities must align with the implementation of a marketing plan aimed at developing or consolidating local market initiatives and agritourism. These projects should present a minimum of $5,000 in eligible expenses and focus on relational or geographical proximity marketing or agritourism.
- Professional fees for contractors
- Portion of employee salaries directly allocated to the project
- Portion of social charges and employee benefits directly related to the project
- Costs related to the creation or production of brand strategy visuals or graphics
- Design models for various communications
- Production of videos
- Creation of posters, signs, interpretive panels, their informative content, or their installations
- Development of web tools
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$15,000
Toronto
Launching a farm-to-table dining experience at a local farm
$12,000
Calgary
Creating promotional materials for a local organic vegetable farm
$25,000
Niagara
Establishing a wine-tasting agritourism attraction at a vineyard
$15,000
Ottawa
Expanding an agritourism venture by offering guided farm tours
$20,000
Montreal
Developing a comprehensive local cheese brand and marketing campaign
$25,000
Vancouver
Creating an interactive website for a local farmers' cooperative
grant_single_labels|admissibility
This grant aims to support the implementation of marketing plans to develop or consolidate proximity marketing and agrotourism initiatives. Eligible applicants must meet specific financial and operational criteria and be located in Quebec.
- Active businesses located in Quebec
- Agricultural operations with annual revenues between $30,000 and $1,000,000, or those that can demonstrate a projected annual revenue of at least $30,000 within 36 months of application
- Food processing companies with annual revenues between $30,000 and $1,000,000, primarily using Quebec-origin raw materials when available, and not outsourcing any food processing activities
- New businesses expecting to achieve an annual revenue of at least $30,000 within 36 months of application
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. The eligible applicants must have a business located in Quebec and fall under one of the specified categories.
- Agricultural operations with an annual revenue between $30,000 and $1,000,000, or below $30,000 with the potential to reach $30,000 within 36 months after the application.
- Food processing companies with an annual revenue between $30,000 and $1,000,000, primarily engaging in food processing activities using local raw materials and not outsourcing any food processing activities.
- New companies with the potential to reach an annual revenue of at least $30,000 within 36 months after the application.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Yes, there are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant. Below is a summary of the non-eligible applicants along with a detailed list:
- Government departments, budgetary and non-budgetary organizations, and state-owned enterprises as per the Financial Administration Act (RLRQ, chapter A-6.001).
- Municipal entities.
- Financial cooperatives and banking institutions.
- Applicants registered in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
- Applicants who have defaulted on obligations from previous financial aid within the last two years after being duly notified by the minister.
- Applicants under an order from the minister or a judge as per the Animal Welfare and Safety Act (RLRQ, chapter B-3.1).
- Applicants registered in the Register of Offences in the last two financial years.
- Applicants under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
- Business cooperatives.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for the grant include various costs directly related to the project.
- Professional fees for contractors
- Salary portion of the applicant's staff dedicated to the project
- Social charges and benefits related to project staff
- Costs for the design or production of brand strategy visuals or graphics
- Publication models for different communications
- Creation of videos
- Designing posters, signs, interpretation panels, and their installations
- Production of web tools
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant is available to applicants with an active establishment located specifically in Quebec, Canada.
- Must have an active establishment in Quebec
grant_single_labels|criteria
The grant applications are evaluated and selected based on the feasibility of the project and its potential benefits for the applicant and consumers. Specific criteria include technical, organizational, and financial feasibility, market analysis, and projected outcomes.
- The feasibility technical, organizational, and financial of the project
- The market analysis
- The retombées of the project for the applicant and consumers
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Verify Eligibility
- Ensure the applicant falls within one of the eligible categories: agricultural operations with specific revenue criteria, food processing companies, or new enterprises projecting future revenue meeting the threshold.
- Step 2: Exclude Non-Eligible Entities
- Make sure the applicant is not a non-eligible entity such as governmental bodies, municipal entities, financial cooperatives, or entities listed on the RENA registry.
- Step 3: Prepare Necessary Documentation
- Gather required financial statements, business plans, and proof of eligibility.
- Step 4: Develop a Marketing Plan
- Prepare a detailed marketing plan that focuses on local markets or agritourism.
- Step 5: Ensure Project Alignment
- Make certain the project fits within the eligible project types and excludes non-eligible project activities such as construction, promotional campaigns, or recurring activities.
- Step 6: Calculate Eligible Expenses
- Identify expenses eligible for reimbursement like professional fees, salaries directly involved in the project, and design or production costs.
- Step 7: Submit Application
- Submit a complete financial assistance application during the designated project submission period as announced on the Ministry’s website.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are some miscellaneous pieces of additional information about the grant:
- Requests for financial assistance can be submitted continuously during project submission periods announced by the Ministry and published on its website.
- At least two project submission periods will take place under Component 2.
- Each complete financial aid request will undergo an analysis based on technical, organizational, and financial feasibility, market analysis, and its benefits for the applicant and consumers.
- The maximum amount of financial aid granted per applicant during the duration of the initiative is $50,000, representing 50% of eligible expenses.
- A minimum contribution of 35% of eligible expenses is required from the applicant and its partners for projects eligible for a bonus.
Apply to this program
Short Summary: Volet 2 Initiative ministérielle Proximité 2024-2026
The Volet 2: Appui aux initiatives individuelles of the Initiative ministérielle Proximité 2024-2026 aims to support agricultural and food processing enterprises in Quebec with the implementation of marketing plans to develop or consolidate proximity marketing and agrotourism initiatives. Eligible applicants can receive a maximum grant of $50,000, covering up to 50% of eligible project expenses over the initiative's duration.
Volet 2 Initiative ministérielle Proximité 2024-2026: A Comprehensive Guide
The Volet 2 of the Initiative ministérielle Proximité 2024-2026 offers a vital lifeline for agricultural and food processing enterprises in Quebec to develop innovative proximity marketing and agrotourism projects. Pronounced with a strong focus on sustainability and local engagement, this grant program is designed to foster economic growth within the province’s vibrant bio-food ecosystem.
Objectives and Goals
The primary aim of Volet 2 is to bolster initiatives that emphasize proximity marketing—fostering direct relationships between producers and consumers—and agrotourism, thereby enhancing the local biofood economy. By facilitating the implementation of detailed marketing plans, this grant seeks to help enterprises develop or consolidate their local market presence and, consequently, contribute to regional economic development.
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
Only specific types of enterprises situated in Quebec are eligible for this grant. These include:
- Agricultural Exploitations: They must have an annual revenue between $30,000 and $1,000,000. Alternatively, those with annual revenue under $30,000 must show a projection of achieving $30,000 in annual revenue within 36 months of their application.
- Food Processing Enterprises: Revenue should fall between $30,000 and $1,000,000, primarily derived from food processing activities. They must use Quebec-origin raw materials predominantly and avoid subcontracting their food processing tasks.
- New Enterprises: These must project achieving an annual revenue of at least $30,000 within 36 months from the date of application.
Entities such as government bodies, municipal entities, financial cooperatives, and those listed on the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA) are among the ineligible applicants.
Project Eligibility and Requirements
The projects must align with the grant's specific objectives and adhere to several requirements to be considered eligible:
- The project should meet the timeline specified within the submission period.
- At least $5,000 in eligible expenses must be submitted with the financial assistance request.
- Projects must be part of a well-defined marketing plan focusing on proximity marketing or agrotourism.
Non-eligible projects include construction or adaptation of sales venues, promotional campaigns, annual events, and projects related to aquaculture, cannabis, or non-human target consumers.
Admissible and Non-admissible Expenses
The grant covers various expenses directly related to the project, such as:
- Professional fees for contractors
- Proportional salaries of the applicant’s staff dedicated to the project
- Social and employment benefits proportional to project-related staff time
- Costs for designing or producing brand strategy elements, publications, videos, signs, web tools
Non-eligible expenses include costs not directly tied to the project, cost overruns, pre-application expenses, salaries of company executives, certain promotional activities, software, office supplies, and more.
Application and Selection Process
Applications for financial assistance can be submitted continuously during the project submission periods announced by the Ministry. The evaluation of each eligible application includes:
- Assessment of technical, organizational, and financial feasibility of the project
- Market analysis
- Evaluation of the project's impact on the applicant and consumers
This comprehensive analysis ensures that only the most viable and beneficial projects receive support.
Financial Provisions and Contribution
The grant can cover up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a maximum allocation of $50,000 per applicant for the duration of the initiative. Projects benefiting from specific enhancements may receive up to 35% additional coverage. This support ensures that enterprises can significantly alleviate the financial burden associated with developing innovative marketing and agrotourism activities.
Key Benefits and Strategic Importance
This initiative is not just a financial aid program; it's a strategic investment in Quebec's bio-food sector. By supporting local enterprises in marketing and agrotourism, the initiative aims to:
- Strengthen local economies by encouraging consumers to buy local products.
- Enhance the visibility and reach of small and medium-sized bio-food enterprises.
- Promote sustainable practices by fostering direct producer-consumer relationships.
- Encourage innovation in marketing strategies within the agri-food sector.
Conclusion
The Volet 2: Appui aux initiatives individuelles of the Initiative ministérielle Proximité 2024-2026 epitomizes a forward-thinking approach to economic development in Quebec’s bio-food sector. By providing substantial financial assistance and fostering innovative, locally-centered marketing strategies, this grant program ensures that Quebec’s agricultural and food processing enterprises can thrive in a competitive market. If you meet the eligibility criteria and have a compelling project that aligns with the initiative's objectives, this grant offers a golden opportunity to elevate your business and contribute to regional economic prosperity.
