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Economic Development Organization Operating Support Program (PAFODE) — Component 1 : Operating support for organizations supporting entrepreneurship
Operating support for entrepreneurship support organizations
Record updated
- Funding available
- $ 1,000,000
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Deadline
- March 31, 2029
- Location
- Quebec, Canada
Overview
This non-repayable operating support helps eligible organizations strengthen entrepreneurs’ skills across the different stages of business development in Quebec. It can cover eligible operating activities and expenses related to delivering regional entrepreneurship support services, with up to $1,000,000 per organization per year for up to three years.
At a glance
Funding available
- Maximum funding
- $1,000,000
- Maximum share of project costs
- 70%
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Strengthen organizational capacity
- Start a business
Eligible candidates
- Location
- Quebec
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- All groups
- Legal structures
- Non-profit, Public or Parapublic institution, Social economy enterprise
Non-profit candidates
- Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Scope
- Regional
Start applying for this program
Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.
Availability timeline
2028
Periods: 1
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Non-profit organizations
- Social economy enterprises
- Organizations whose mission is to provide services to entrepreneurs in Quebec
Who is not eligible
- For-profit businesses
- State-owned enterprises, government-controlled corporations, municipal entities, and businesses majority-owned by a state-owned enterprise
- Organizations in bankruptcy or insolvency
- Organizations listed on the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts, or using listed subcontractors
- Organizations whose main activities involve controversial weapons, fossil fuels, gambling, violent games or combat sports, sexual exploitation, or tobacco or drug-related products and services
Eligible expenses
- Administrative expenses
- Salaries, wages, and related compensation
- Operating expenses required to deliver the organization’s services
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Activities already funded under another component of this program or another program
- Expenses incurred before the application was submitted
- Refundable federal or provincial taxes
- Land, building acquisition, construction, expansion, or fit-out costs
- Depreciation, interest, financial charges, and sponsorships
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
- All administrative regions of Quebec
Activities funded
- Operating activities needed to deliver regional business support services in entrepreneurship
- Ongoing organizational activities that help entrepreneurs strengthen their skills at different stages of business development
How to apply
- Step 1: Contact regional office
- Contact an advisor from your regional territorial office first.
- Obtain the information and required documents for your application.
- Step 2: Prepare application package
- Complete the financial assistance application form.
- Gather the required supporting documents, including financial statements and planning documents.
- Step 3: Submit application
- Send the application to the Ministry before the program deadline.
- Ensure all required documents are included to allow the file to be analyzed.
Documents Needed
- Financial assistance application form
- Organization financial statements
- Detailed forecast budget, if applicable
- Strategic plan and annual action plan
- Latest annual activity report, service offers, partnerships, or compliance documents, if applicable
Selection criteria
- Alignment between the organization’s mission, the program objectives, and government priorities
- Past performance in achieving expected targets
- Quality of the action plan and result indicators
- Organizational capacity in financial and human resources
- Relevance of the organization’s contribution, quality of documentation, and adoption of eco-responsible practices
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by the Ministry on an ongoing basis once the required documents have been received.
- Files are analyzed based on program rules, selection criteria, and available budget.
- If approved, the organization must sign a grant agreement setting out obligations and payment conditions.
- Interim and final reports with supporting evidence are required for subsequent and final payments.
- The final payment depends on submission of the required financial and results documentation.
Additional information
- This program ended on March 31, 2026.
- Funding cannot be combined with another component of this program or another program of the Ministère.
- A minimum private contribution of 20% of total project costs is required.
- Approved funding is governed by a grant agreement with annual reporting and supporting evidence requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Economic Development Organization Operating Support Program (PAFODE) — Component 1 : Operating support for organizations supporting entrepreneurship Program
What is the Economic Development Organization Operating Support Program (PAFODE) — Component 1 : Operating support for organizations supporting entrepreneurship?
This non-repayable operating support helps eligible organizations strengthen entrepreneurs’ skills across the different stages of business development in Quebec. It can cover eligible operating activities and expenses related to delivering regional entrepreneurship support services, with up to $1,000,000 per organization per year for up to three years.
How much funding can be received?
Economic Development Organization Operating Support Program (PAFODE) — Component 1 : Operating support for organizations supporting entrepreneurship Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,000,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Economic Development Organization Operating Support Program (PAFODE) — Component 1 : Operating support for organizations supporting entrepreneurship program?
To be eligible for the Economic Development Organization Operating Support Program (PAFODE) — Component 1 : Operating support for organizations supporting entrepreneurship program, you must:
Non-profit or social economy enterprise
Establishment in Quebec
Mission to serve Quebec entrepreneurs
What expenses are eligible under Economic Development Organization Operating Support Program (PAFODE) — Component 1 : Operating support for organizations supporting entrepreneurship?
Administrative expenses
Salaries, wages, and related compensation
Operating expenses required to deliver the organization’s services
Who can I contact for more information about the Economic Development Organization Operating Support Program (PAFODE) — Component 1 : Operating support for organizations supporting entrepreneurship?
You can contact Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE).
Where is the Economic Development Organization Operating Support Program (PAFODE) — Component 1 : Operating support for organizations supporting entrepreneurship available?
The Economic Development Organization Operating Support Program (PAFODE) — Component 1 : Operating support for organizations supporting entrepreneurship program is available the province of Quebec.