MRC Les Etchemins — Call for projects: Signature innovation

• Application form for financial assistance.
• Financial package or budget spreadsheet.
• Municipal support letter or resolution, where applicable.
• Applicant board or council resolution authorizing the application.
• Confirmation letters from external partners, if any.

Who is eligible?

• Municipal organizations and Indigenous communities.
• Private and social economy enterprises.
• Cooperatives and non-profit organizations.
• Educational network organizations.
• Legal entities intending to start a business.

Who is not eligible

• Private enterprises in the financial sector.
• Cooperatives in the financial sector.
• Organizations listed in the Registry of enterprises not eligible for public contracts.

Eligible expenses

• Project staff salaries and social benefits, including travel costs.
• Specialist and consulting fees.
• Land preparation, site work, and equipment moving costs.
• Land or easement acquisition costs, including legal and appraisal fees.
• Plans, designs, surveying, equipment rental, installation, and project promotion.
• Volunteer contributions tied to the project.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Heavy equipment purchases and computer equipment purchases.
• Operating deficits, debt repayment, or working capital top-ups.
• Costs incurred before the agreement is signed or already completed projects.
• Costs not directly related to the project.
• Recoverable GST/QST amounts and administration fees above 10%.

Eligible geographic areas

• MRC des Etchemins, Quebec.
• Projects must be carried out in one of the 13 municipalities of the MRC des Etchemins.

• Clarity of the project description and general information.
• Quality of the project delivery plan, including governance structure.
• Quality of the financing plan.
• Projects are scored out of 100, with 70 as the passing mark.

• Step 1: Prepare the application documents
  • Complete the financial assistance application form.
  • Prepare the financial package or budget spreadsheet.
  • Gather partner confirmations, resolutions, and supporting documents.
• Step 2: Submit the application by email
  • Send the complete file to the MRC des Etchemins by email.
  • Submit the application before the deadline.
• Step 3: Await review and decision
  • The file is reviewed for completeness before evaluation.
  • Accepted applicants are contacted after the decision process.

• Applications are first reviewed for completeness and alignment with the program objectives.
• Eligible files are then evaluated by a selection committee.
• Projects meeting the minimum passing score are recommended to the council of mayors for approval.
• Successful applicants are contacted and a funding agreement is signed.
• Funding and reporting conditions are set out in the agreement.

• Projects must be completed by September 30, 2027.
• Funding agreements define payment conditions and reporting requirements.
• If funds remain, a future call for projects may be launched.
• Applicants may submit more than one project across different streams.