MRC des Chenaux — Chenaux Local Social Economy Fund (FLÉS)
QC, Canada
Supports social enterprise projects in the Chenaux region
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateNovember 24, 2020
- grant_single|closingDateNovember 23, 2021
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
grant_single|grantors
- MRC des Chenaux
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The grant from the Fonds local d’économie sociale des Chenaux (FLÉS) provides up to $15,000 to support the emergence of collective entrepreneurship projects that have a social purpose and demonstrate significant potential for economic viability. Eligible activities encompass financially viable, job-creating enterprises within prioritized sectors such as manufacturing, recreational tourism, and agro-food, delivered by non-profit organizations or cooperatives.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports collective entrepreneurship projects that address community needs across various sectors. The focus is on financially viable initiatives that create sustainable employment and offer services to members or the community.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's organizational structure and the nature of the proposed project.
- The applicant must be a non-profit organization or a cooperative.
- The project must pursue a social purpose.
- There must be a significant economic viability potential for the project.
- The project must address social needs identified by the community.
- The project must be implemented within the territory of the MRC des Chenaux.
- The project must create or maintain jobs that are sustainable, offer decent wages, and adhere to labor standards without job substitution.
- The project must not create unfair competition or duplicate services.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Fonds local d'économie sociale des Chenaux (FLÉS) grant is available to specific types of organizations and projects in the community. Eligible applicants include:- Non-profit organizations- CooperativesThese entities must focus on projects that pursue a social purpose, demonstrate significant economic viability, and address defined social needs in the community. Additionally, the project must:- Be executed within the territory of the MRC des Chenaux- Provide the creation or maintenance of sustainable employment with decent wages and adherence to labor standards- Operate in sectors that do not cause unfair competition or service duplicationPriority is given to projects in the following sectors:- Manufacturing- Recreational tourism- Agri-food- Community services with a commercial characterWhile sectors such as retail and personal services are generally excluded, exceptions may apply if the project fills a market gap or involves the acquisition of a well-established business with a strong market potential.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their nature and main activities. The purpose is to support organizations that align with the social economy objectives while excluding those engaged in controversial or unsuitable businesses.
- Businesses involved in the sexual, religious, or political sectors.
- Companies in the tobacco, vaping, or cannabis industries.
- Enterprises engaging in controversial activities such as matchmaking agencies, war games, arms trading, astrology, tarot reading, personal growth courses, pawn shops.
- Professional service companies regulated by an order.
- Businesses whose income mainly comes from commissions.
- Speculative ventures.
- Temporary or non-recurring businesses.
- Enterprises that are environmentally irresponsible under current legislation.
- Companies violating labor standards or human rights legislation.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers expenses that are essential for the capital investment and technological acquisition needed for the project.
- Capital expenses such as land, building, equipment, machinery, rolling stock, incorporation fees, and similar expenses excluding goodwill expenses.
- Acquisition of technologies, software or software packages, patents, and similar expenses, excluding research and development activities.
- Working capital needs strictly related to the identified needs of the presented project.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is specifically targeted at projects established on the territory of the MRC des Chenaux in Quebec. It supports local social economy initiatives within this geographical area.
- MRC des Chenaux
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for projects under this grant focus on their alignment with the program's objectives and their potential contribution to the local economy and community.
- Alignment with the principles of collective entrepreneurship, including service to members or the community, democratic decision-making, and prioritization of people and work over capital.
- Demonstrated potential for economic viability and financial self-sufficiency through diversified funding sources and income generation from market activities.
- Addressing specific societal needs identified by the community within the MRC des Chenaux territory.
- Creation or maintenance of sustainable jobs with decent wages and compliance with labor standards.
- No engagement in unfair competition or duplication of services within the sector.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Review Eligibility Criteria
- Ensure your organization is either a non-profit or a cooperative.
- Verify that your project aligns with the social, economic, and community needs of the MRC des Chenaux.
- Step 2: Prepare Your Proposal
- Develop a comprehensive business plan outlining the project’s goals, social purpose, and potential for economic viability.
- Define how the project will create or maintain sustainable jobs.
- Step 3: Financial Planning
- Prepare financial statements and projections demonstrating the need for funding and the use of requested funds.
- Ensure all budgetary requirements are met, including a minimum 20% cash contribution from promoters or the community.
- Step 4: Assemble Required Documentation
- Gather supporting documents such as incorporation papers, relevant permits, and any other mandated documentation.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- Complete the grant application form provided by the MRC des Chenaux.
- Submit all paperwork by the specified deadline.
- Step 6: Await Feedback
- Monitor for correspondence from the MRC des Chenaux regarding the status of your application.
- Prepare to provide additional information if requested.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The aid is meant to complement existing governmental programs and not to replace them.
- The financial offer is time-constrained; projects must be initiated within 12 months of approval.
- If major changes occur in the project, it must be re-evaluated for viability by the committee.
- Beneficiaries must retain their status as a non-profit organization or cooperative for at least five years post-agreement signing.
- Accepted projects incur a non-refundable commitment fee of 0.5% of the loan amount.
- An MRC financial analyst oversees administrative follow-up and compliance with the funding terms.
- Innovative and job-creating projects might receive more than the maximum financial aid, depending on available funds.
Apply to this program
Empowering Community-Centric Social Enterprise Projects
This grant program supports the development of collective entrepreneurship projects that prioritize community service, democratic decision-making, and sustainable employment. Eligible projects can receive financial aid up to $15,000, combined with technical support from professional resources within the MRC des Chenaux.
Understanding the Impact and Mechanics of the Fonds local d’économie sociale des Chenaux (FLÉS) Grant
The Fonds local d’économie sociale des Chenaux (FLÉS) seeks to invigorate the regional economy by backing community-driven social enterprise initiatives. Each project embraced by the program must follow its foundational principles, which emphasize providing service to members or the community, fostering democratic decision-making, and valuing people and labor over capital. This approach not only ensures economic sustainability but also addresses the socio-economic needs articulated by the local population.
Eligible projects, which are primarily initiated by non-profit organizations and cooperatives, must exhibit a significant potential for economic viability and align with the identified social needs within the MRC des Chenaux. Through its designed framework, FLÉS encourages the creation and maintenance of jobs that adhere to fair labor standards and offer security to the workforce, thus contributing to employment longevity and community well-being.
On the financial side, the grant can cover up to 50% of project costs, capped at $15,000, and further stipulates that combined funding from various government sources should not exceed 80% of eligible expenditures. It mandates a minimum 20% capital injection or community contribution from project promoters, ensuring that a diverse funding mix underpins every venture. While primarily furnishing fiscal support, FLÉS augments this with technical assistance—enabling project proponents to tap into the expertise and advisory services provided by MRC des Chenaux's professional resources.
This comprehensive backing allows social enterprises to deploy funds toward capital expenses, acquire essential technologies, and secure working capital tailored to project-specific needs. The grant doesn’t cover everyday business operations or debts, ensuring that funds are strategically allocated to propel innovation and development.
Critical to the process are strict adherence conditions certified through a formal agreement detailing the terms of financial disbursement and the responsibilities of both MRC des Chenaux and grant recipients. This ensures accountability and a structured follow-up managed by the MRC’s financial analyst, who monitors compliance, verifies payments, and maintains vital documentation relating to project progress.
Strategically, FLÉS targets prioritized sectors like manufacturing, recreational tourism, agri-food, and community service with a commercial angle, all while upholding restrictions against competition that could undermine local businesses. Notably, businesses must avoid duplicative or contentious sectors, ranging from speculative ventures to those with potential environmental irresponsibility.
The FLÉS initiative, bolstered by the Fonds régions et ruralité, encapsulates a significant investment in sustainable, community-centric economic development within the MRC des Chenaux. It not only fosters local innovation and entrepreneurism but also establishes a framework whereby collective projects can contribute to a resilient and adaptable regional economy.
