MRC de Rivière-du-Loup — FRR – Stream 3: Signature innovation - renewable energies

• Annual funding envelope of $250,568 available from 2020 to 2024, with a total grant of $1,252,840 allocated for the program period.
• The MRC must contribute $250,568, corresponding to 20% of the total financial envelope provided by the ministry.
• Non-repayable financial assistance up to $150,000 per project; for mobility-related projects, assistance is capped at $75,000 per project.
• The maximum funding may be doubled for projects led by at least two local municipalities jointly.
• Non-profit, municipal, and social economy project promoters may receive up to 80% of eligible project expenses; private companies may receive up to 50% of eligible project expenses.

• The applicant must be a municipal organization, Indigenous community, non-profit organization, social economy enterprise (excluding financial sector), private business (excluding financial sector), cooperative (excluding financial cooperatives), or an educational network organization.
• The project must relate to renewable energies and align with one of the intervention areas prioritized by the MRC (e.g., biomethanation, wind energy, energy recovery, waste valorization, renewable energy projects, or mobility linked to renewable energy).
• The project must be of limited duration, non-recurring, and not cover regular operational costs for maintaining ongoing activities.
• The applicant must provide required financial documentation and comply with all reporting and accountability requirements set by the MRC.
• The project must align with the MRC's development priorities and not contradict any government policy or regulation.

Who is eligible?

• Municipal organizations and Indigenous communities
• Private enterprises (excluding the financial sector)
• Non-profit organizations
• Social economy enterprises (excluding financial cooperatives)
• Educational network organizations

Who is not eligible

• Companies and organizations in the financial sector, including financial cooperatives.
• Projects related to the establishment or expansion of health services (e.g., health cooperatives).
• Organizations involved in municipal administration projects (e.g., town hall renovations, municipal garage maintenance).
• Projects associated with places of worship, unless the building is being converted for non-religious community use.
• Businesses registered in the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and benefits for employees or interns dedicated to the project, including employer contributions.
• Professional fees for external services relevant to project execution.
• Capital expenditures for assets enabling project realization.
• Acquisition of technologies, software, or patents directly required for the project.
• Non-refundable portion of taxes.
• Other direct costs necessary for the development and implementation of the project.

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations located within the territory of the MRC de Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec.

• Alignment with the MRC's development priorities and relevant territorial or sectoral plans.
• Relevance to one of the prioritized intervention areas for renewable energy innovation as defined by the MRC.
• Anticipated concrete impacts on the community or sector.
• Quality and realism of the project implementation plan, including timelines, steps, resource allocation, targets, and financial planning.
• Demonstration of innovation, such as new products, improved processes, new marketing or organizational methods.
• Strength and clarity of governance structure, including well-defined partnerships, decision-making frameworks, and qualifications of the project team.
• Contribution to reinforcing the MRC's territorial identity in renewable energy.

• The funds are awarded based on budget availability, with applications accepted continuously.
• Decisions are made by a steering committee that typically meets at least twice per year.
• Applicants must comply with specific communication requirements, including acknowledging the Government of Quebec's contribution in publicity and promotional materials.
• Members of the steering committee are subject to ethics and deontological regulations regarding integrity, impartiality, and confidentiality.