QEPD — Diversify your economy - CED (QC)

• For SMEs: Financial assistance generally covers up to 50% of authorized project costs, repayable without interest, with repayment starting two years after project completion.
• For NPOs: Non-repayable financial assistance generally covers up to 90% of authorized project costs.

• The applicant must be an eligible organization such as a non-profit, economic development organization, municipality or regional county municipality, organization tasked with attracting international organizations and foreign investment, local business, co-op, business association, or Indigenous organization.
• The project must support economic development, such as attracting international organizations, drawing tourists from outside Quebec, or acquiring economic facilities for the community.
• The applicant must demonstrate technical and financial management capacity, and project viability.
• The project should include contributions from partners in financial resources or professional services.

Who is eligible?

• Non-profit organizations (NPOs)
• Economic development organizations
• Municipalities and regional county municipalities (RCMs)
• Organizations tasked with attracting international organizations and foreign investment
• Local businesses
• Cooperatives (Co-ops)
• Business associations
• Indigenous organizations

Who is not eligible

• Retail businesses, such as clothing stores, grocery stores, or automobile sales and maintenance outlets.
• Food service companies, including restaurants and cafés.
• Transportation service providers.
• Companies engaged in housing construction.
• Businesses offering daycare services, hair and beauty salons, nightclubs, bars, or cabarets.

Eligible expenses

• All costs directly related to the project that are deemed reasonable and essential by CED

Eligible geographic areas

• Regions within the province of Quebec.
• Regional county municipalities (RCMs) in Quebec, particularly those experiencing slow economic growth or economic shocks.
• Montréal’s East End (with potential for flexible program conditions).

• Expected results of the project.
• Viability of the business or organization.
• Technical and financial management capacity of the applicant.
• Contribution of partners (financial resources or professional services).
• Degree of risk associated with the project.

• Flexible program conditions may apply for projects located in economically vulnerable regions or Montréal’s East End.
• CED offers resources such as a Strategic Plan, project presentation guide, and various tools to support applicants.
• Applicants are encouraged to subscribe to CED’s newsletter for updates and advice.
• The funding is administered under the Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) program.