MRC La Vallée-de-l'Or — Support Program for Structuring Projects (PSPS)

• The applicant must be a municipality, a municipal organization, a band council of the Kitcisakik or Lac Simon Indigenous communities, an incorporated non-profit organization, a non‑financial cooperative, or an organization in the education, health, culture, environment, heritage or social services networks serving all or part of the MRC de La Vallée-de-l’Or territory.
• The project must take place within one or more municipalities of the MRC de La Vallée-de-l’Or or the Indigenous communities of Kitcisakik or Lac Simon and have written support (resolution or letter of support) from the concerned municipality or community.
• The project must be a “structuring” initiative that improves living environments and generates positive, collective impacts (social, community, sustainable, environmental or economic) for a significant portion of the population of the targeted area.
• The applicant must demonstrate that the project can be completed within 24 months of submission (with only exceptional cases exceeding this timeline) and that no previously funded project under this program is still ongoing or unfinished.
• The application file must be complete, including the official application form, required corporate documents, confirmations of financial partners or donors, necessary permits, and the most recent financial statements of the organization.

Who is eligible?

• Municipalities located in the MRC de La Vallée-de-l’Or
• Municipal organizations in the MRC de La Vallée-de-l’Or
• Band councils of the Indigenous communities of Kitcisakik and Lac Simon
• Incorporated non-profit organizations (all sectors)
• Non-financial cooperatives
• Organizations in the education, health, culture, environment, heritage, and social services sectors operating on all or part of the MRC territory

Who is not eligible

• Private for-profit companies (profit-oriented businesses) are not eligible.
• Financial cooperatives (e.g. credit unions and similar financial co-op institutions) are not eligible.

Eligible expenses

• Administrative fees associated with the position of the MRC’s local development coordinator.
• Professional fees (e.g. external specialists, consultants or other professional services required for the project).
• Capital expenditures for assets such as land, buildings, equipment, machinery, rolling stock, incorporation fees and similar capital costs.
• Acquisition of technologies, software or packaged software, patents and similar technology-related purchases.
• Working capital needs calculated for the first year of operation of an organization.
• Value of volunteer hours, calculated at the applicable minimum wage rate, up to 20% of the total project cost.
• The recoverable portion of taxes paid by the organization on eligible project expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations located within any municipality that is part of the MRC de La Vallée-de-l’Or (Quebec, Canada).
• Organizations located in the Indigenous community of Kitcisakik (within the MRC de La Vallée-de-l’Or territory).
• Organizations located in the Indigenous community of Lac Simon (within the MRC de La Vallée-de-l’Or territory).

The evaluation criteria for the grant are designed to promote development through prioritization based on set parameters, although specific point scores are not provided in the document.

• Proposer's experience and capability in executing similar projects.
• Alignment with the strategic goals of improving living environments and encouraging project innovation.
• Extent of community support and collaborative efforts among local organizations.
• Project's potential to generate positive outcomes in social, environmental, and economic fields.
• Clear demonstration of financial autonomy and sustainability.
• Feasibility and actionable timeline of the project.
• Presents a structured plan for the consolidation of existing services and resources.

• The policy applies to projects carried out between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025, and the MRC may terminate the program during the year if budget restrictions occur.
• All projects must comply with the MRC’s Policy on donations, sponsorships and financial assistance, in force since October 18, 2017.
• Beneficiaries must publicly acknowledge the MRC de La Vallée-de-l’Or in all communications about the project and obtain prior authorization before using the MRC logo.
• The program framework was approved by the council of mayors on April 19, 2023 and confirmed without modification on April 17, 2024.