Signature innovation – A Territory Close to its Nature

• Cadre de gestion
• Guide des organismes promoteurs – Appel à projets
• Formulaire de demande d’aide financière
• Formulaire de rapport final

Who is eligible?

• Municipalities on the territory of the MRC de Maskinongé.
• Incorporated non-profit organizations with at least one year of existence, social economy enterprises, and non-financial cooperatives that operate outdoor infrastructures or equipment.
• Private enterprises with at least one year of existence.
• The MRC de Maskinongé.

Who is not eligible

• Provincial or federal public and parapublic organizations.
• Financial institutions and financial cooperatives.
• Organizations in default of a financing agreement with the MRC de Maskinongé.
• Companies listed in the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics.
• Any organization not listed among the eligible organizations.

Eligible expenses

• Land or easement acquisition, including legal fees and appraisal fees.
• Administrative fees for permits or authorizations, and surveying fees.
• Site preparation, including clearing, earthworks, equipment relocation, and electrical connections.
• Project delivery contracts, including plans and specifications, materials and supplies, transport, tool, equipment and machinery rental, signage equipment, quality control, employee wages and employer social charges, collective outdoor sports equipment, and volunteers' contribution.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Current expenses normally financed by municipal budgets or government programs, operating deficits, debt repayment, and working capital replenishment.
• Expenses incurred before the agreement is signed, expenses for projects already completed, and any expense not directly related to the project.
• Expenses already paid by the Government of Quebec and/or Canada for the same project.
• Expenses related to relocating a business or organization unless the local municipality consents.
• Subsidies to government administration except education network organizations, expenses governed by approved Quebec budget rules, expenses paid to companies listed in the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics, loans, loan guarantees, equity stakes, refundable taxes, and any other expense not listed as eligible.

Eligible geographic areas

• MRC de Maskinongé

• Relevance to local outdoor recreation, including physical activity, contact with nature, living environment, and discovery or exploration — 24 points.
• Structural impact on the community, including enhancement of the area, consolidation or development of the offer, and accessibility — 18 points.
• Sustainable aspect of the project, including climate change adaptation, reduced environmental impact, outreach, local and community economy, and resource management — 20 points.
• Quality of the project and its planning, including presentation, financial planning, and implementation — 18 points.
• Community mobilization — 10 points; innovative or original character — 10 points; projects scoring below 70% are not retained.

• Contact the MRC agent before submitting a project to confirm admissibility and discuss the project bases, partnerships, and possible improvements.
• If applicable, obtain access to the electronic presentation form for the request.
• Complete the online financial assistance application form in full and transmit all required documents.
• Submit the project by December 31, 2026 or before funds are exhausted.

• Eligible projects are analyzed by the steering committee using the scoring grid.
• Only projects that meet the eligibility criteria are analyzed.
• Projects scoring below 70% are not retained.
• The steering committee recommends projects to the MRC Council, which approves them by resolution, and selected projects are covered by a subvention agreement between the promoter and the MRC.
• Funded projects must start as soon as possible after acceptance, progress changes must be submitted in writing for approval, a final report is required after completion, and the MRC may end the agreement and request repayment if obligations are not met.

• The dates and modalities of the call for projects are published on the MRC website and may also be sent to organizations and partners by email.