How much funding can be received?

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.

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This grant is available to companies located in a specific geographical area as determined by the grant conditions. Eligible businesses must be based in the province of Quebec.

Businesses with an active establishment located in Quebec.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$15,000

Launching a farm-to-table dining experience at a local farm

$12,000

Creating promotional materials for a local organic vegetable farm

$25,000

Establishing a wine-tasting agritourism attraction at a vineyard

$15,000

Expanding an agritourism venture by offering guided farm tours

$20,000

Developing a comprehensive local cheese brand and marketing campaign

$25,000

Creating an interactive website for a local farmers' cooperative

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined based on the applicant's type of business and projected revenue, as well as specific conditions related to their operations.

The applicant must have an operational establishment located in Quebec.
The applicant must fall under one of the following categories:

Agricultural operations with an annual revenue greater than $30,000 and less than $1,000,000, or expected to reach a revenue of at least $30,000 within 36 months of application.
Food processing businesses with an annual revenue greater than $30,000 and less than $1,000,000, where the majority of revenue comes from food processing activities, they primarily use Quebec-origin raw materials (when available), and they do not subcontract food processing activities.
New businesses expected to reach annual revenue of at least $30,000 within 36 months of application.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Eligible applicants must have an active establishment located in Quebec and fall into one of the following categories:• Agricultural operations meeting one of the following criteria: o An annual turnover greater than $30,000 and less than $1,000,000; o An annual turnover below $30,000 and can demonstrate that they plan to achieve an annual turnover of at least $30,000 within 36 months after submitting their application;• Food processing businesses that meet the three following criteria: o An annual turnover greater than $30,000 and less than $1,000,000, primarily deriving from food processing activities; o Mainly use raw materials of Quebec origin when they are available; o Do not outsource their food processing activities;• New businesses that can demonstrate they plan to achieve an annual turnover of at least $30,000 within 36 months after submitting their application.Ineligible applicants include:• Ministries, budgetary organizations, non-budgetary organizations or state-owned enterprises listed in schedules 1 to 3 of the Act respecting the Financial Administration (RLRQ, chapter A-6.001), businesses directly or indirectly controlled by a government (provincial or federal) or a state-owned enterprise;• Municipal entities;• Financial cooperatives and banking institutions;• Applicants registered in the Register of Ineligible Enterprises for Public Contracts (RENA), including their subcontractors;• Applicants who, in the two years preceding submission of the complete financial aid application, failed to meet their obligations after being duly notified by the Minister in relation to previous financial assistance granted by the Minister;• Applicants subject to an order from the Minister or a judge under the Animal Welfare and Safety Act (RLRQ, chapter B-3.1) at the time of submitting the complete financial aid application;• Applicants who have been convicted as listed in the Register of Declarations of Conviction in the two financial years preceding submission of the complete financial aid application;• Applicants under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (R.S.C. [1985], chapter C-36) or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (R.S.C. [1985], chapter B-3);• Groupings of companies.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or legal and financial constraints. The restrictions are put in place to ensure that funds are allocated to eligible and compliant entities aligned with the grant's objectives.

Government departments and state-owned entities.
Municipal entities.
Financial cooperatives and banking institutions.
Applicants registered in the Register of companies ineligible for public contracts, including their subcontractors.
Applicants who have failed to meet previous financial aid obligations in the two years preceding the application.
Applicants under an order by the minister or a judge related to animal welfare and safety laws.
Applicants with criminal convictions in the two financial years preceding the application.
Applicants under the protection of bankruptcy and insolvency legislation.
Groups of businesses.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The eligible projects for this grant focus on developing or consolidating marketing initiatives and agritourism through the implementation of a marketing plan. They aim to enhance local market proximity or geographic proximity with an emphasis on strengthening relationships.

Projects that implement a marketing plan to enhance local and agritourism market initiatives.
Efforts targeting relational or geographic proximity marketing.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The grant covers specific expenses that are directly linked to the execution of the project.

Professional fees of contractors.
Portion of the applicant's staff salary dedicated directly to the project.
Social charges and employment benefits for the applicant's staff based on time dedicated directly to the project, calculated at 26% of the salary or another amount justified by accounting demonstration.
Design or production costs for brand strategy visuals or graphics.
Design or production costs for publishing models for various communications.
Design or production costs for videos.
Design or production costs for posters, signs, interpretation panels including their informative content or installations.
Design or production costs for web tools.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure they meet the grant's objectives and deliver anticipated benefits.

Technical, organizational, and financial feasibility of the project.
Market analysis.
Impact and benefits of the project for the applicant and consumers.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Check Eligibility
- Ensure your business location and category meet eligibility criteria.
- Confirm your project aligns with the objectives of Volet 2: Appui aux initiatives individuelles.
Step 2: Prepare Marketing Plan
- Draft a comprehensive marketing plan as outlined in the Guide de rédaction d’un plan de commercialisation.
- Ensure your project involves proximity marketing or agrotourism.
Step 3: Documentation and Budgeting
- Detail all eligible project costs, ensuring a minimum of $5,000 in eligible expenses.
- Collect all necessary business documentation.
Step 4: Complete Application Form
- Access the application form through the Ministère’s website at www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/proximite.
- Fill out all required details accurately, ensuring compliance with guidelines.
Step 5: Submit Application
- Submit your completed application and all required documents through the Ministère’s portal by the specified deadlines.
- Ensure electronic confirmation of submission is received.
Step 6: Await Review
- Your application will be evaluated based on feasibility, market analysis, and potential benefits.
- Be prepared to provide additional information if requested during the review process.

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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.

grant_single_labels|documents

(MAPAQ) - Ministerial initiative Proximity - Component 2

Apply to this program

Supporting Local Market Development and Agritourism

The Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ) is offering a grant to support local marketing and agritourism initiatives through its "Proximité 2024-2026" program. This grant aims to fuel marketing strategies for agricultural and food processing businesses located in Quebec, fostering their proximity-based relational and geographical market outreach.

Exploring the Vital Details of the "Proximité 2024-2026" Grant

The "Proximité 2024-2026" grant, particularly its second facet, seeks to empower small to medium-sized agricultural and food processing enterprises in Quebec by encouraging the adoption and expansion of local market initiatives and agritourism. This program is a concerted effort by MAPAQ to boost the visibility and market accessibility of businesses operating within a specified revenue threshold, thereby strengthening the local economic framework through proximity markets that emphasize local, relational, and geographical interactions.

Eligible projects under this program must actively contribute to the development or solidification of local market strategies through innovative marketing plans which promote local consumption and tourism. The focus is on nurturing direct exchanges between producers and consumers, a vital step towards establishing a robust and sustainable local economy. This initiative encourages strategic planning in marketing endeavors and provides substantial financial backing to facilitate and realize these plans.

Significantly, this grant prioritizes projects that are not merely promotional in nature or tied to traditional advertising strategies. Instead, it incentivizes projects that enhance the direct sales platforms or develop experiential, farm-based tourism activities that bolster local consumption while adding value to the community's lifestyle and economy. Eligible expenses under this scheme encompass professional fees directly related to the project, compensating employees working on these projects, and creating content or tools required for effective public engagement and marketing efforts.

The fiscal implication of this grant sees a potential coverage of up to 50% of eligible project expenses, with a maximum financial contribution reaching $50,000 per applicant. This substantial investment allows businesses to undertake meaningful changes and expansions in their local market strategies without the full financial burden, thereby reducing risk and expanding possibilities for growth and impact.

Furthermore, while this support encourages new and innovative approaches to market development, it also ensures the accountability and effectiveness of the allocated funds. The meticulous selection criteria assess technical, organizational, and financial feasibility, market analysis, and anticipated impact of each project. This strategic scrutiny guarantees that only well-conceived and potentially impactful projects receive financial backing, optimizing resource utilization and ensuring that these contributions substantively enhance the local economic and sociocultural landscapes.

The Proximité 2024-2026 grant is a robust initiative intended to inspire and support pioneering efforts in local market integration and agritourism. It serves not only as a financial support mechanism but as a strategic platform that aligns business objectives with community-driven goals, fostering sustainable economic practices within Quebec. By bridging the gap between local producers and consumers, the program delivers a dual advantage of economic growth and community enrichment, standing as a testament to thoughtful economic planning and support.