MRC de Thérèse de Blainville — Social Economy and Sustainable Development Business Development Fund
grant_single|update May 21, 2025
QC, Canada
Supports social economy and sustainable development business projects
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
grant_single|grantors
- MRC Thérèse de Blainville
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Social Economy and Sustainable Development Business Development Fund (FDEÉSDD) of the MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville provides non-repayable financial contributions of up to $15,000 to support the creation, consolidation, and expansion of social economy enterprises and sustainable development projects in the region. Eligible activities include feasibility studies, business planning, start-up costs, capital expenditures, and initiatives for developing new products and services within non-profit organizations and cooperatives.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
- Pre-startup (Volet A): Funding covers up to 70% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $10,000.
- Startup (Volet B): Funding covers up to 50% of total eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $15,000; at least 50% of project costs must be contributed by the applicant and partners, with a minimum of 30% provided as a cash contribution.
- Consolidation (Volet C): Funding covers up to 50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $10,000.
- Expansion (Volet D): Funding covers up to 50% of total eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $15,000; at least 50% of project costs must be contributed by the applicant and partners, with a minimum of 30% provided as a cash contribution.
- Total financial aid from MRC for all programs cannot exceed $150,000 over a 12-month period.
grant_single_labels|projects
- Creation of new social economy enterprises or entrepreneurial projects within non-profit organizations and cooperatives.
- Development of innovative and impactful projects that address community needs and priorities identified by the region.
- Initiatives aimed at maintaining or creating sustainable, remunerated jobs within the territory.
- Expansion of existing social economy enterprises through new products or services.
- Consolidation plans to strengthen the viability and sustainability of existing social economy businesses.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 14,500
Launching a zero-waste refill grocery pilot with retail upgrades
$ 15,000
Expanding a community bike share with new stations and fleet
$ 14,800
Developing a mobile compost collection service for local SMEs
$ 14,700
Feasibility study for a local textile recycling social enterprise
$ 14,300
Upgrading a daycare’s energy efficiency with solar installation
$ 14,900
Launching a bilingual digital skills training program for youth
grant_single_labels|admissibility
- The applicant must have its head office and conduct the majority of its activities within the MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville.
- The applicant must be a non-profit organization or a cooperative.
- The company must demonstrate autonomous management and democratic governance.
- The project or enterprise must generate social and economic benefits for the community through the production and sale of socially useful goods or services.
- The applicant must operate in a market economy context and ensure user or client participation to generate autonomous revenue.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Non-profit organizations (incorporated under Part III of the Companies Act of Quebec)
- Cooperatives (incorporated under the Cooperatives Act)
- Social economy enterprises operating on the territory of the MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- Projects involving the relocation of the head office or a branch outside the territory of the MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville.
- Companies or projects controlled by entities other than the promoting group.
- Projects with main or secondary activities that are controversial (including sexual, religious, or political activities).
- Businesses acting exclusively as subcontractors for a single client.
- Companies operating as franchises or pursuing speculative activities.
- Projects involving Centres de la petite enfance (CPE), and retail or restaurant enterprises in the startup phase, which are not prioritized.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
- Professional fees and consulting expenses for studies, business plan preparation, or project-related expertise.
- Market study and feasibility study costs.
- Start-up expenses, including incorporation fees, initial advertising, and security deposits.
- Capital expenditures such as land, buildings, production equipment, rolling stock, computer equipment, office furniture, and office equipment.
- Acquisition of technologies, software, applications, and patents (excluding research and development activities).
- Initial inventory costs.
- Operational costs strictly tied to project realization.
- Promotion and marketing expenses specifically for new products and services (including professional marketing fees and project-related management costs).
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
- Companies with their head office and most activities located within the territory of the MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville.
grant_single_labels|criteria
- Demonstrated potential for medium- and long-term profitability and viability of the enterprise.
- Project does not create direct competition with existing social economy initiatives in an insufficient market.
- Operating in a sector that is not saturated or deemed non-priority.
- Promoter possesses adequate knowledge, skills, and experience relevant to the project domain.
- Demonstrated market potential and originality, along with clear job creation potential and essential need for financial aid.
grant_single_labels|apply
1
Confirm eligibility requirements
- Verify that the organization or promoter meets all eligibility conditions specific to the FDEÉSDD
- Ensure the head office and most activities are in the Thérèse-De Blainville MRC
- Confirm the organization's legal status as a non-profit or cooperative with democratic governance and financial autonomy
- Check that the project produces socially and economically beneficial effects for the community and operates in a market economy
- Review the exclusion criteria for ineligible projects
2
Prepare application documents
- Gather required documentation, such as a completed application form (except for Pre-startup stream), comprehensive business plan and financial forecasts for the first two years
- Demonstrate the essential nature of the financial assistance and project viability
- Prepare proof of financial contribution representing at least 30% of the project cost
- Ensure all supporting documents and evidence of compliance are ready
3
Submit application
- Submit the application and supporting documents during the project call period (one or two times per year depending on available funds)
- Ensure submission within deadlines set by the MRC
- Allow the economic development advisor to review the file for initial eligibility
4
Evaluation and decision process
- Wait for the Eligibility Committee to analyze and evaluate the submitted project
- Respond to possible requests for additional information or project presentation before the FDEÉSDD Committee
- Receive notification of the council’s decision regarding acceptance or rejection and the amount of funding granted
5
Finalize agreement and monitoring
- Sign a memorandum of understanding specifying disbursement and obligations
- Present required permits, authorizations, and all necessary financing before funds are released
- Begin the project within 12 months after the board’s approval
- Meet the economic development advisor of the MRC at least twice during the agreement for project follow-up
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- A monitoring mechanism requires beneficiaries to meet at least twice with an economic development advisor from the MRC during the agreement period.
- Financial assistance is conditional on the availability of annual budget allocations to the fund.
- A final activity and financial report must be submitted at the end of the project, including supporting invoices.
- The committee members overseeing project evaluations must sign confidentiality and conflict of interest agreements annually.