PAFODE — Component 3 : Operating support for export support organizations

• Non-repayable grant covering up to 50% of eligible expenses.
• Maximum government funding may not exceed 85% of eligible expenses.
• Maximum financial assistance is $200,000 per organization, per year.
• Total support per organization is capped at $600,000 over a three-year period.

• The applicant must be a regional export promotion organization (ORPEX) identified for the implementation of export strategies through support to businesses in export awareness, training, and initiatives outside Quebec.
• The applicant must not be listed in the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts (RENA) or use services from entities so listed.
• The applicant must have fulfilled all obligations related to any previous financial assistance received from the Quebec government or Investissement Québec within the past two years.
• The applicant must not be a state-owned enterprise or a company controlled directly or indirectly by a government entity (municipal, provincial, or federal), a municipal entity, or a business majority-owned by such an entity.
• The applicant must not be a for-profit business with an establishment in Quebec.

Who is eligible?

• Regional export promotion organizations (ORPEX) identified for the implementation of export strategies through business support in awareness, training, and initiatives outside Quebec

Who is not eligible

• State-owned enterprises or companies directly or indirectly controlled by a government (municipal, provincial, or federal).
• Municipal entities.
• For-profit companies with an establishment in Quebec.
• Organizations or subcontractors listed in the Register of Enterprises Not Eligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
• Entities in bankruptcy or insolvency.

Eligible expenses

• Administrative fees.
• Salaries and wages.
• Operating expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

• Alignment between the organization's mission, the program objectives, and government priorities.
• Track record of the organization in achieving previously set targets.
• Quality of the action plan and performance indicators, including consistency between planned activities, available resources, and targets.
• Capacity of the organization to fulfill its mandate effectively with existing financial and human resources.
• Relevance of the organization’s contribution to the needs of Quebec industry and its businesses.
• Quality of the documentation provided.
• Adoption and implementation of eco-responsible practices (e.g., recycling, sustainable development action plans).

• The program requires that certain compliance documents, such as a certificate of francization and a declaration of compliance to the Employment Equity Program, may need to be provided if applicable.
• The process for record-keeping and accountability includes providing detailed justification documents, such as a report from an external auditor and annexes as specified in the grant agreement.
• The measure encourages the adoption and implementation of environmentally responsible practices, such as recycling and sustainable development action plans.
• The program documentation and guidelines were last updated on March 26, 2024.