How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $500000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Social economy support program (PSES) – Stream 2?

Social economy support program (PSES) – Stream 2 is funded by Social Economy Cluster — Central Quebec

What are Social economy support program (PSES) – Stream 2's eligibility criterias?

For-profit businesses are not eligible for this program.

Social economy support program (PSES) – Stream 2

Last Update: August 19, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports development of strategic sectors in Quebec’s social economy

Social economy support program (PSES) – Stream 2 at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $500,000
Up to 70% of project cost

Timeline

Archived

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Construction
Manufacturing
Retail trade
Transportation and warehousing
Information and cultural industries
Finance and insurance
Real estate and rental and leasing
Professional, scientific and technical services
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
Educational services
Health care and social assistance
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Accommodation and food services
Other services (except public administration)
Public administration

Grant Providers

Social Economy Cluster — Central Quebec

Program status

Archived

Overview of the Social economy support program (PSES) – Stream 2 program

The Social Economy Support Program (PSES) – Stream 2 offers up to $500,000 in funding per project to promote the development and deployment of strategic initiatives in the social economy. This program supports collaborative projects and structured activities such as studies, promotional strategies, networking, training, and pilot projects among eligible Quebec-based social economy organizations.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum financial support of $10,000 per project for Stream 2A (sectoral collaboration projects), covering up to 70% of eligible expenses.
Maximum government aid accumulation of 80% of total eligible project expenses for Stream 2A.
Maximum financial support of $500,000 per project for Stream 2B (deployment and animation projects), valid for up to 3 years, covering up to 70% of eligible expenses.
Maximum government aid accumulation of 80% of total eligible project expenses for Stream 2B.

Eligible projects & activities

Collaborative projects to address strategic social needs such as population aging, environmental sustainability, economic inclusion, or other socioeconomic challenges.
Studies and analyses aimed at advancing sectors within the social economy.
Development and rollout of promotion strategies and related activities for social economy sectors.
Networking and partnership-building activities among social economy stakeholders.
Implementation of pilot projects, innovative experiments, and knowledge-sharing activities in strategic social economy sectors.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 72,500

Developing a mobile app to support local food delivery cooperatives

$ 60,250

Installation of high-efficiency LED lighting and smart thermostats

$ 99,000

Accessibility upgrades for community arts centre including elevator installation

$ 82,000

Upgrading manufacturing equipment to support recycling processes

$ 48,000

Purchase of specialized cold storage to extend food bank operations

$ 29,500

Training new staff in digital accounting and payroll systems

Eligibility criteria of the Social economy support program (PSES) – Stream 2 program

The applicant must be a lead organization representing a collective project composed of social economy support organizations, social economy enterprises, sectoral associations or federations, and organizations involved in knowledge transfer.
The applicant must be one of the following and have an establishment in Quebec: a social economy support organization, an association or federation representing several social economy enterprises, a knowledge transfer or liaison organization (such as an innovation transfer entity or a college technology transfer center), or a social economy enterprise (cooperative or non-profit organization as per the Loi sur l’économie sociale).
For Stream 2B, only projects that have previously received financial support under Stream 2A are eligible.
The application must include all required documents, such as a completed application form and letters of commitment from project partners.

Who is eligible?

Organizations supporting the social economy with an establishment in Quebec
Associations or federations grouping several social economy enterprises in Quebec
Organizations for consultation or knowledge transfer (such as innovation liaison and transfer organizations or college centers for technology transfer) in Quebec
Social economy enterprises (cooperatives or non-profit organizations) as recognized by the Social Economy Act (RLRQ, chapter E 1.1.1)

Who is not eligible

Crown corporations and companies directly or indirectly controlled by a government (provincial or federal), as well as businesses majority-owned by a Crown corporation.
For-profit enterprises with an establishment in Quebec.
Companies under protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
Enterprises listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
Organizations that have not fulfilled previously required financial obligations to the Ministry or Economic Development Fund in the past two years.

Eligible expenses

Costs associated with studies and analyses directly related to the project.
Expenses for promotional strategies and related activities.
Fees for organizing and conducting networking activities.
Development and implementation of support tools.
Training activity costs.
Costs for promotional activities specific to the project.
Expenses related to pilot projects and experimentation.
Costs for coordination and mobilization activities.
Knowledge transfer activities expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

Organizations with an establishment in Quebec.

How to apply to the Social economy support program (PSES) – Stream 2 program

Review eligibility requirements

Determine eligibility of your organization as lead applicant
Confirm collective nature and sector involvement
Ensure project aligns with program objectives

Prepare application documents

Collect required documents, including letters of commitment from partners
Complete the financial aid application form
Prepare other project-specific required documents

Validate application completeness

Ensure all documents are complete and signed
Check for completeness to avoid inadmissibility

Submit application package

Submit completed application form and all required documents to the designated email address
Indicate the program stream targeted in your submission

Wait for results

Await review and decision from the Ministry after submission
Respond to any additional requests if contacted

Additional information

A plan of action for the targeted strategic sector must be submitted for all funded consultation and analysis projects.
Dynamic PDF forms for application are available and must be used with Adobe Reader version 10 or later.
Incomplete applications, including missing required documents, will be deemed ineligible.
Only projects that previously received Stream 2A support are eligible for Stream 2B.