How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $50000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2024-10-31T04:00:00Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 2?

MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 2 is funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)

What are MAPAQ — Ministerial initiative Proximity — Component 2's eligibility criterias?

Must be an active agricultural operation or a food processing business in Quebec. Annual revenue between $30,000 and $1,000,000, or demonstrate ability to reach $30,000 within 36 months. Food processors must primarily use Quebec-origin raw materials and not outsource food processing.

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

Verify your eligibility

Review the eligibility criteria for applicants and projects
Confirm your business or project meets all requirements

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

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

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

Wait for eligibility confirmation

Monitor for acknowledgment of receipt and confirmation of eligibility from MAPAQ
Be attentive to any requests for additional information

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.