Social Economy Development Fund

This grant supports the development of non-profit organizations, cooperatives, and social economy projects with specific financing modalities designed to assist from pre-launch to growth phases. It facilitates the emergence of innovative projects by providing substantial financial assistance.

• Non-repayable grant of up to $10,000 or 80% of the project cost or eligible expenses.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and operations.

• The applicant must be an "enterprise of social economy," which includes cooperatives, mutuals, and non-profit organizations with commercial activities.
• The applicant must be established in the territory of the MRC de Papineau.
• The applicant must be legally incorporated in Quebec.
• The applicant must operate within a commercial economic context.
• The applicant must maintain a majority of permanent jobs that are not substitutes for public or parapublic sector jobs.
• The applicant must have net assets equating to at least 15% of the total assets.
• The applicant must self-finance at 60%, where autonomous revenues form 60% of total revenues, including contractual and governmental agreements.

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and organizations based on their status, main activity, and previous financial aid compliance. The following restrictions ensure that the funds support true social economy initiatives within the designated area.

• Cooperatives, mutual societies, and non-profit organizations that are not social economy enterprises and do not have commercial activities.
• Financial cooperatives.
• Private companies.
• Entities that have received a different grant from the Business Support Policy in the last 12 months.
• Entities listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts.
• Social economy enterprises that have previously failed to meet their financial aid obligations with a ministry or funding organization after formal notice.
• Social economy enterprises engaged in activities solely for outsourcing or privatization, where the grant would only shift an economic activity and jobs from one organization to another.

Eligible expenses

This grant supports the development of social economy organizations and innovative projects that meet community needs. Eligible projects must align with strategic priorities set by the MRC and focus on the production of goods or services and the creation of sustainable jobs.

• Projects that produce goods or services for members and the community with a demonstrated demand.
• Initiatives creating durable and quality jobs.
• Projects generating self-sustaining revenues to ensure job sustainability.
• Activities responding to social needs identified by the community.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to organizations within a specific region to align with local development strategies. Eligible locations are determined by the strategic planning of the MRC de Papineau.

• Organizations operating within the MRC de Papineau.

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.

• Positive outcomes for the collective enterprise (25 points): Includes the type of project, the level of innovation for the social economy enterprise, actual necessity of the request, and added value.
• Positive outcomes for the region (25 points): Includes impact on the community, involvement of the social economy enterprise, local partnerships/suppliers, and maintaining or creating quality jobs.
• Quality of the project (25 points): Assessment of the quality of chosen experts, relevance of projected expenses for business continuity, and integration of sustainable development criteria.
• Viability of the project (25 points): Includes human and financial capacity to complete the project, organization's motivation, realism of the implementation schedule, and budget forecasts.

The Fonds de développement de l’économie sociale (FDÉS) supports non-profit organizations and cooperatives in various project stages, offering a non-repayable grant up to $10,000 or 80% of eligible expenses. Projects aligning with local strategic priorities, innovation in new sectors, and ensuring sustainable, quality employment while addressing community-determined social needs are emphasized.

• Open for applications throughout the year or until funds are depleted.
• Applicants must have an Attestation d’entreprise d’économie sociale from CDROL to be eligible.
• Non-repayable grant distributed in two installments as per the agreement protocol.
• Application must include a completed form, justification for expenses, and additional financial documentation depending on the organization's establishment duration.
• Projects should not involve the relocation of economic activities unless consent is provided from the local municipality.