Social Economy Development Fund

Q: How much funding can be received?

Social Economy Development Fund Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $10000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the Social Economy Development Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Social Economy Development Fund is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Social Economy Development Fund?

Social Economy Development Fund is funded by MRC Papineau

Q: Who is eligible for the Social Economy Development Fund program?

To be eligible for the Social Economy Development Fund program, you must: • The applicant must be a non-profit organization (OBNL) or a cooperative. • All non-profit organizations must obtain the Social Economy Enterprise certification from CDROL to be eligible. • The project must align with the strategic priorities of the MRC de Papineau and address community-determined social needs.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Social Economy Development Fund?

You can contact MRC Papineau by email at k.perrier@mrc-papineau.com or by phone at 819-427-6243.

Q: Where is the Social Economy Development Fund available?

The Social Economy Development Fund program is available the province of QC.

Q: Are startups eligible for the Social Economy Development Fund program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the Social Economy Development Fund program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

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.

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $10,000
Up to 80% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Educational services
Health care and social assistance
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Other services (except public administration)
Public administration

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

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.

Financing terms and conditions

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.

Activities funded

Development of projects that produce goods or services.
Initiatives aimed at creating sustainable and quality employment.
Projects that generate autonomous income for job sustainability.
Activities that address community-determined social needs.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 10,000

Establishing a community kitchen to address food insecurity in Gatineau.

Eligibility

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?

Non-profit organizations (OBNL), cooperatives, and social economy projects engaged in market activities, legally established in Quebec, operating in the MRC of Papineau's territory, and those that can self-finance to a certain extent.

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.

Selection criteria

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.

How to apply

Verification of eligibility criteria

Make sure your organization is a non-profit organization, a cooperative, or a social economy enterprise with commercial activity.
Check that your business is established in the territory of the MRC of Papineau and legally incorporated in Quebec.
Hold a net worth of at least 15% of total assets and 60% self-financing.
Obtain the social economy enterprise certificate from CDROL.

Preparation of documents

Complete the application form duly signed.
Prepare supporting documents for each of the expenses and revenues (excluding your business contribution).
Obtain a letter of attestation from the Social Economy Hub (for NPOs and Cooperatives).
Access the letters patent for NPOs and Cooperatives.
Provide financial statements for the last two years if the business has been active for more than two years.
Provide a business plan, financial forecasts for two years, and interim financial statements if the business has been active for less than two years.

Submission of the request

Send the complete request by email to the address indicated: k.perrier@mrc-papineau.com.
Check the completeness and accuracy of your file before sending.

Post-submission follow-up

Stay in touch with the economic development commissioner for any questions or additional support needs.

Additional information

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.

Contacts

k.perrier@mrc-papineau.com

819-427-6243

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Social Economy Development Fund Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Social Economy Development Fund. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Social Economy Development Fund?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under Social Economy Development Fund?

The Social Economy Development Fund fosters the growth of non-profit organizations, cooperatives, and social economy projects, from pre-startup to expansion. It supports innovative projects that explore new sectors, methods, or expertise. Development of projects that produce goods or services. Initiatives aimed at creating sustainable and quality employment. Projects that generate autonomous income for job sustainability. Activities that address community-determined social needs.

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Social Economy Development Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Social Economy Development Fund?

Who is eligible for the Social Economy Development Fund program?

Who can I contact for more information about the Social Economy Development Fund?

Where is the Social Economy Development Fund available?

Are startups eligible for the Social Economy Development Fund program?

Funding for validation and evaluation of innovative health technologies

Quebec, Canada