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MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 2 - QC - Canada

MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 2

Last Update: June 19, 2025
QC, Canada
Supports local market initiatives and agrotourism in Quebec

MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 2 at a glance

Eligible Funding
  • From $5,000 to $50,000
  • Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
  • Closing date : October 31, 2024
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
  • Manufacturing
Grant Providers
  • Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)
Status
Open

Overview of the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 2 program

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.

Financing terms and conditions

  • Maximum financial assistance: $50,000 per applicant over the duration of the initiative.
  • Funding rate: up to 70% of eligible expenses for collective initiatives (Component 1); up to 50% of eligible expenses for individual initiatives (Component 2).
  • Possible bonus: 15% increase in financial assistance for projects in Îles-de-la-Madeleine or focusing exclusively on certified or pre-certified organic products (up to the same $50,000 cap).
  • Eligible expenses must meet minimum thresholds: $7,000 (Component 1) or $5,000 (Component 2) per application.
  • Cumulative government support for a project cannot exceed 70% of eligible expenses (or 85% with bonus) for Component 1 and 50% (or 65% with bonus) for Component 2.

Eligible projects & activities

  • Implementation of a marketing plan to strengthen local and proximity-based sales initiatives.
  • Development or consolidation of activities related to agritourism aimed at connecting with nearby consumers.
Examples of admissible projects:

$ 20,000

Developing a local farm-to-table marketing initiative

$ 35,000

Launching an artisanal cheese agrotourism experience

$ 25,000

Improving local cider production through promotional events

$ 50,000

Creating a digital platform for local farm produce

Eligibility criteria of the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 2 program

  • The applicant must have an active establishment located in Quebec.
  • The applicant must be an agricultural operation, a food processing company, or a new business that forecasts achieving an annual revenue of at least $30,000 within 36 months of application.
  • For food processing companies, the majority of annual revenues must be from food processing activities, and they must primarily use Quebec-sourced raw materials where available, without outsourcing processing activities.
  • The project must involve implementing a marketing plan focused on local or direct-to-consumer sales or agrotourism.
  • The project must present eligible expenses directly related to its realization and meet the minimum admissibility criteria at the time of application.

Who is eligible?

  • Agricultural operations meeting revenue criteria
  • Food processing companies primarily engaged in processing activities and using Quebec-sourced raw materials
  • Newly established businesses able to demonstrate projected revenue growth

Who is not eligible

  • Provincial or federal ministries, government bodies, or state-owned enterprises, including those controlled by a government.
  • Municipal entities.
  • Financial cooperatives and banking institutions.
  • Businesses or their subcontractors listed on the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA) or with recent financial misconduct.
  • Companies under bankruptcy protection or insolvency proceedings.
  • Business groups or consortiums (for individual initiatives component).
  • Businesses involved in aquaponics, aquaculture, marine algae, fish, seafood products, or cannabis and related products.

Eligible expenses

  • Professional fees for contractors directly involved in the project.
  • Portion of employee salaries dedicated to project activities.
  • Portion of social charges and employee benefits associated with project work (up to 26% of salary or another justified amount).
  • Costs related to the design or production of visual or graphic branding elements.
  • Costs for creation of publication templates for various communications.
  • Expenses for production of videos.
  • Costs related to the creation of posters, signs, interpretive panels, and their informational content or installation.
  • Expenses for the development of web tools directly connected to the project.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Companies with an active establishment located in Quebec.
  • Projects carried out in the agglomeration of Îles-de-la-Madeleine (for bonus eligibility).

Eligibility criteria of the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 2 program

  • Technical, organizational and financial feasibility of the project.
  • Market analysis supporting the project.
  • Expected benefits for both the applicant and consumers.

How to apply to the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 2 program

1
Verify your eligibility
  • Review the eligibility criteria for applicants and projects
  • Confirm your business or project meets all requirements
2
Prepare application documents
  • Obtain and complete the grant application form in French
  • Gather the mandatory documents (financial statements, business plan, marketing plan, budget, etc.)
  • Prepare proof of available funds or financing
3
Gather additional supporting documents
  • Collect additional supporting documents as needed (proxies, proof of bio-certification, leases, CVs, partnership agreements, etc.)
  • Ensure all documents are complete and up-to-date
4
Submit your application file
  • Sign the complete application form and all attachments
  • Submit your application package to MAPAQ via the procedure indicated on their website
5
Wait for eligibility confirmation
  • Monitor for acknowledgment of receipt and confirmation of eligibility from MAPAQ
  • Be attentive to any requests for additional information
6
Receive decision and sign agreement
  • Receive the ministry’s funding decision by mail or email
  • Sign the financial assistance agreement if your project is accepted

Additional information

  • The Initiative comes into effect on May 29, 2024, was amended on August 12, 2024, and will end on February 15, 2026, or earlier if funds are exhausted.
  • Applicants must comply with all relevant laws and regulations for the duration of the funding agreement.
  • The Ministry may visit the project location or request supporting documents for verification during and up to five years following project completion.
  • Recipients must acknowledge the Ministry’s support in all public communications about the funded project.

Documents and links

MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 2

Apply to this program

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