Social Economy Development Fund
QC, Canada
The Social Economy Development Fund (FDÉS) provides significant non-repayable grants to support innovative projects by non-profits, cooperatives, and social enterprises in the MRC de Papineau.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
grant_single|grantors
- MRC Papineau
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grant_card_status|open
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The Fonds de développement de l’économie sociale (FDÉS) provides a non-repayable, continuous, and non-recurrent grant of up to $10,000 or 80% of the project's cost to support the development of non-profit organizations, cooperatives, and social economy projects within the MRC de Papineau. The program is aimed at fostering innovative projects that create durable and quality employment, generate autonomous revenue to ensure job sustainability, and address community-determined social needs. Eligible activities include producing goods or services for community members, acquiring technologies, and covering costs for professional services and other capital expenditures.
grant_single_labels|projects
Eligible projects for this grant should align with the strategic priorities of the MRC and contribute to producing a good or service, creating durable jobs, generating autonomous revenue to sustain these jobs, and addressing identified social needs of the community.
- Producing a good or service for the organization and community with demonstrated demand
- Creating durable and high-quality jobs
- Generating autonomous revenues to ensure sustainability of jobs
- Addressing community-determined social needs
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$10,000
Gatineau
Establishing a community kitchen to address food insecurity in Gatineau.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
This grant supports the development of social economy enterprises, cooperatives, and non-profit organizations within the MRC territory. Only eligible entities and projects that align with specific criteria can receive funding.
- An "enterprise of social economy," such as cooperatives, mutuals, and non-profit organizations with commercial activities.
- Must be established within the territory of the MRC.
- Legally constituted in Quebec.
- Operate in a merchant economy context.
- Majority of jobs must be permanent and not subsidized by ad-hoc programs; these jobs should not substitute jobs from the public or parapublic sectors.
- Net assets must equal at least 15% of the total assets.
- Must self-finance 60% of their operations, including autonomous revenues which can encompass contractual and governmental agreements.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible types of companies for this grant include enterprises that operate as social economy businesses within the region of the MRC de Papineau. These entities must be legally constituted in Quebec and demonstrate the capability to generate autonomous revenue and sustainable employment.
- Cooperatives
- Mutuals
- Non-profit organizations (OBNL) with commercial activities
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Yes, certain types of companies are not eligible for this grant. Below is a list of ineligible entities:
- Cooperatives, mutuals, and non-profit organizations that are not social economy enterprises and have no market activities.
- Financial cooperatives.
- Private companies.
- Entities that have received a grant under the Policy of Business Support in the last 12 months.
- Entities listed in the registry of businesses not eligible for public contracts.
- Social economy enterprises that have failed to meet obligations related to previous funding within two years preceding the submission.
- Social economy enterprises engaging solely in subcontracting or privatization activities where the grant would merely shift existing activities or jobs from one organization to another.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Certain expenses are eligible for the grant associated with the Fonds de développement de l'économie sociale. These expenses include capital expenditures, acquisition of technologies, and service fees related to the project.
- Capital expenses (land, building, equipment, machinery, rolling stock, etc.)
- Acquisition of technologies, software, or packages
- Service expenses (permits, professional fees, consultants, studies, incorporation fees, patents, etc.)
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zone for this grant is the territory of the MRC de Papineau in Quebec, Canada. Organizations must be established within this region to qualify for funding.
- Territory of the MRC de Papineau
- Located in Quebec, Canada
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. These criteria assess the positive impacts of the project on the enterprise and the region, as well as the quality and viability of the project.
- The positive impacts of the project for the collective enterprise (25 points): type and level of innovation of the project, necessity of the request, and added value to the enterprise.
- The positive impacts of the project for the region (25 points): impact on the region, involvement in the community, pursuit of local partners/suppliers, and maintenance and creation of quality jobs.
- The quality of the project (25 points): quality of chosen experts, relevance of expenditures for business continuity, and integration of sustainable development criteria.
- The viability of the project (25 points): human and financial capacity necessary for project realization, motivation of the organization, and realism of the timeline and budget forecasts.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Ensure eligibility criteria are met, including being an "enterprise of social economy," legally constituted in Quebec, and operating with a context of social commerce.
- Step 2: Obtain the "attestation of social economy enterprise" from CDROL, which is necessary for eligibility.
- Step 3: Fill out the application form completely and gather all required documents, such as financial statements or business plans.
- Step 4: Submit the application via email to the specified contact address.
- Step 5: Await evaluation by the analysis committee and final decision by the council of administration.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
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.
grant_single_labels|contact
k.perrier@mrc-papineau.com
819-427-6243
Apply to this program
Fonds de Développement de l’Économie Sociale: Supporting Nonprofit Innovation
The Fonds de Développement de l’Économie Sociale (FDÉS) is a non-repayable grant aimed at supporting the growth and innovation of nonprofit organizations, cooperatives, and social economy projects within the region of MRC de Papineau. This fund provides up to $10,000 or 80% of the eligible project costs, aimed at creating sustainable employment and addressing community needs.
Exploring the Fonds de Développement de l’Économie Sociale (FDÉS): A Comprehensive Guide
In the rapidly evolving landscape of economic strategies, the need for sustainable, community-driven projects has never been more pronounced. The Fonds de Développement de l’Économie Sociale (FDÉS) stands as a vital resource for supporting nonprofits, cooperatives, and social economy initiatives, particularly within the region of the MRC de Papineau. With the recent adoption of the Policy of Support to Enterprises on August 16, 2023, this grant aims to strengthen social enterprises, stimulate entrepreneurial innovation, and address social needs through economic sustainability. This detailed guide delves into the fund's objectives, eligibility, application process, and more, providing a resource for potential applicants.
Supporting Innovation in Social Economy
The FDÉS is intricately aligned with the strategic planning priorities of the MRC de Papineau, emphasizing the production of goods or services, job creation, and self-sustained revenue generation to ensure employment longevity. Social needs, as determined by the community, are central to the mission of this fund, setting the stage for a transformative impact. As an ongoing, non-recurrent financial support, the grant is available throughout the year or until the funds are exhausted, highlighting the MRC’s commitment to continuous social enterprise development.
Objectives and Vision
The FDÉS has defined objectives that guide its deployment and impact. Key among these are:
- Financial Support for Social Enterprises: Ensuring that social economy enterprises receive the necessary funding to operate and thrive within a competitive market environment.
- Fostering Collective Entrepreneurship: Encouraging the formation and growth of collaborative business models that leverage collective strengths for community benefit.
- Promoting Social Mission: Highlighting and supporting the fundamental social missions of enterprises within the MRC de Papineau.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the FDÉS, applicants must meet specific criteria. Eligible applicants are social economy enterprises, which include cooperatives, mutuals, and nonprofits with commercial activities. These organizations must:
- Be established within the jurisdiction of the MRC de Papineau.
- Be legally constituted in Quebec.
- Operate in a market economy context.
- Maintain a majority of non-subsidized permanent jobs.
- Hold a net asset of at least 15% of total assets.
- Self-finance at least 60% of their total revenues.
Entities classified as ineligible include private companies, financial cooperatives, entities that have received a similar grant within the past 12 months, or those on the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts.
Project Criteria
The fund supports projects that align with MRC strategic priorities and demonstrates tangible social benefits. Eligible projects must:
- Produce goods or services in demand by the organization and the wider community.
- Create sustainable, quality employment opportunities.
- Generate independent revenues that contribute to job sustainability.
- Address community-determined social needs.
Identifying Admissible and Non-Admissible Expenses
Eligible expenses under the FDÉS are comprehensive and include:
- Capital expenditures such as land, buildings, equipment, and machinery.
- Technology acquisition, including software and other IT solutions.
- Service-related expenses like permits, professional fees, consultancy, and more.
Conversely, non-admissible expenses encompass regular operating costs like salaries, recurring administrative costs, and debt financing, among others. Understanding the distinction between these categories is crucial for applicants crafting their budgets.
Application Process and Required Documentation
The application process for the FDÉS requires careful preparation of several documents. These include:
- A fully completed and signed application form.
- Supporting documents for all declared expenditure and income, excluding the organization’s contribution.
- For nonprofits and cooperatives, a social economy attestation letter is necessary.
- Legal documents such as letters patent.
Organizations with over two years of operation must submit financial statements from the two preceding years. Recent organizations must provide a comprehensive business plan, financial projections, and interim financial statements.
Evaluation Criteria
The FDÉS employs rigorous evaluation criteria to ensure that the grant supports high-impact projects. These criteria assess:
- Project Outcomes: Evaluating the type of project, innovation level, and the essential need for financial support.
- Regional Impacts: Analyzing the project’s regional contribution, including local partnerships and employment impacts.
- Project Quality: Assessing expert involvement, expenditure eligibility, and sustainable development integration.
- Project Viability: Examining human and financial capacities necessary for project realization.
Funding and Administration
The MRC’s Council of Mayors administers this grant, with funding provided as non-repayable subsidies up to $10,000 or 80% of project costs. Grants are disbursed in two installments as per the agreed contract, ensuring that project milestones are met satisfactorily.
Strategic Positioning and Impact
The FDÉS not only advances the economic landscape of the MRC de Papineau but also addresses pressing social challenges through sustainable initiatives. By prioritizing social economy enterprises, this fund represents a commitment to fostering a thriving community that values both economic prosperity and social well-being.
Conclusion
The Fonds de Développement de l’Économie Sociale (FDÉS) is a powerful catalyst for social innovation, providing the necessary resources for nonprofit organizations, cooperatives, and social enterprises to develop and implement projects that meet community needs. By leveraging this fund, organizations can ensure not only their sustainability but also the economic and social vitality of the MRC de Papineau region. This guide outlines the critical details of the FDÉS, offering a comprehensive resource for those seeking to leverage this vital financial tool.
