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MRC L'Islet — Support for self-employed workers (SSEW)
L'Islet, QC
Support for entrepreneurial autonomy in Quebec's financial aid program
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- MRC de L'Islet
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Support for Self-Employed Workers (SSEW) program by MRC de L’Islet provides financial aid to eligible individuals for business plan development and enterprise creation, with a focus on achieving financial autonomy and contributing to local economic diversification. Eligible activities include business plan preparation, entrepreneurship training, and technical advisory support, although a specific maximum funding amount is not mentioned in the provided text.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This grant offers structured financial support to eligible self-employed individuals, designed to assist them in launching and growing their business initiatives. The financial assistance is tailored to the needs of participants, ensuring they can focus on developing their business while maintaining financial stability.
- Participants can receive an employment assistance allocation equivalent to the general minimum wage rate in Quebec for 35 hours per week.
- Additional support is available for childcare expenses for participants of employment insurance, social assistance beneficiaries, and individuals without public income support, on an exceptional basis.
- General expenses for participants with disabilities can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per participant to cover specific expenditures.
- The income assistance provided does not account for additional income from freelance work conducted under the self-employment support measure.
grant_single_labels|projects
The "MRC L'Islet — Support for self-employed workers (SSEW)" grant supports activities that aim at assisting individuals in initiating and establishing their own businesses. The eligible projects include activities focused on developing viable business plans and ensuring the successful operation of the enterprises.
- Providing individual support and advisory services for the preparation and implementation of business plans.
- Consulting support during the preparatory and startup phases of the business, including throughout the participation period and the year following this participation.
- Facilitating purchases of professional services as required, which may involve direct purchases from professionals or competent organizations by the coordinator on behalf of the participant.
- Offering access to short-term, flexible training sessions tailored to the reality of the clientele, such as in areas like taxation, networking, basic accounting, sales techniques, marketing planning, legal aspects, and information technology.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant requires specific conditions related to the business activities and applicant status.
- Create a new enterprise and maintain control over it.
- Purchase an existing autonomous business.
- Consolidate self-employed activities if receiving financial aid as a last resort.
- Aim for self-employment or an individual business, regardless of legal status, including worker cooperatives.
- Establish the business within Quebec and align with the local action plan for the economy and employment.
- Must not be a franchise, banner, license, or other dependent enterprise.
- Cannot be a business of sexual, religious, political nature, or any controversial enterprise that could negatively impact the ministry's association.
- Not solely a financial consolidation enterprise, unless for those declaring income from self-employment aid.
- Dedicated self-employment, characterized by serving a single client, is not eligible.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible candidates must be in one of the following situations:
- Employment Insurance beneficiaries.
- Social Assistance recipients.
- Unemployed individuals with no public income support.
- Workers with precarious status.
Additionally, candidates must:
- Demonstrate motivation to become an entrepreneur.
- Possess experience or skills related to their project.
- Present a written draft of their business project.
- Commit to dedicating their main activity to launching their business for a minimum of 35 hours per week.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Certain types of businesses are not eligible for the Support for Self-employed Workers (SSEW) program due to perceived restrictions related to their structure or industry sector. This is to ensure the program supports suitable entrepreneurial activities that align with the regional economic development goals.
- Franchises, banners, licenses, or any businesses with an appearance of dependency are not eligible.
- Sexual, religious, political, or otherwise controversial businesses that might unjustly associate the program with those activities.
- Businesses merely undergoing financial consolidation without active entrepreneurial growth.
- Dedicated self-employment similar to subcontracting, where there is dependence on a single client.
- Businesses involved in professions governed by professional orders are not eligible.
- Commission-based jobs are excluded from the program.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers expenses necessary for the preparation and implementation of a business plan and related advisory services.
- Support individual and advisory assistance in the preparation and implementation of the business plan.
- Purchases of professional services as needed, which can include direct service procurement from competent professionals or organizations.
- Access to relevant short-term, flexible, and client-tailored training.
- Training costs, including:
- Taxation and GST/QST.
- Networking skills.
- Basic accounting.
- Sales techniques.
- Marketing plan development.
- Legal aspects.
- Internet information and usage.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is only available to companies that are established within the province of Quebec, Canada. Eligible geographical locations must align with the plan of action for local economy and employment and fall within the predefined territories of Quebec.
- Companies located within the geographical territory of Quebec.
- Businesses outlined in the local economic action plans under Quebec's jurisdiction.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for projects under the Soutien aux travailleurs autonomes grant focus on ensuring the project's viability and the applicant's capability to sustain their business in the long term within the local economic context.
- The project must demonstrate viability, showing clear potential for sustainable operation.
- It should respond to a need within the community, ensuring that it addresses gaps or opportunities in the local market.
- The project must not create unfair competition with similar existing businesses in the same geographical area.
- There must be evidence that the project can lead to the applicant's financial independence, reducing reliance on public support.
- The project should align with the strategic goals of diversifying local economies and promoting employment creation.
- The applicant must demonstrate control over the business, especially in business partnerships or associations.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Contact Economic Development Service
- Reach out to Sylvain Thiboutot, Director of Economic Development at 418-598-3076 extension 255 or via email at s.thiboutot@mrclislet.com to inquire about eligibility and application process.
- Step 2: Establish Eligibility
- Verify that you meet the eligibility criteria through consultation with the Economic Development Service.
- Ensure your project aligns with the viability and community needs requirements.
- Step 3: Complete Preliminary Assessment
- After contacting the service, undergo a preliminary assessment to evaluate your project's potential.
- Step 4: Documentation Preparation
- Prepare a written draft of your business project.
- Compile necessary documents such as a curriculum vitae and a plan showing at least a 15% contribution to project financing.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- Submit your application directly to the coordinating body as informed by the Economic Development Service.
- Ensure all prepared documents and any additional required forms are included in your submission.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The participant must not have voluntarily ended participation in a similar program in the past.
- The participant must be free from any significant debts or legal challenges that could compromise the project.
- Participants in the post-startup phase receive technical support for up to one year, even after financial support ceases.
- Participants must be willing to work a minimum of 35 hours per week on their startup.
- Upon acceptance, a plan d’affaires (business plan) must be submitted and reviewed by a selection committee.
- If relocating the project to another geographical area, prior approval from the coordinating body is required.
- Financial contribution from the participant of at least 15% of the allocation is required, though it can be in cash or kind.
- The possibility to appeal a decision on eligibility through administrative review.
- Franchises, licensed enterprises, and certain politically, religiously, or controversially aligned businesses are ineligible.
grant_single_labels|contact
s.thiboutot@mrclislet.com
418-598-3076
