Community Diversification

Am I eligible?

Your organization or enterprise may qualify for the Community Diversification program if it meets one of the following criteria:

• is a small or medium-sized enterprise;
• is an SMEs group or association;
• is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is business support or economic development;
• is a municipality or municipal agency.

How can I submit my project proposal?

To submit a project proposal, you must contact an advisor at the Business Office serving your region. Once your project has been deemed eligible, the advisor assigned to your file will send you a form.

See further instructions on how to submit a financial assistance application.

Is my project eligible?

To qualify for funding, your project must be consistent with the priorities of the business office accepting your application.

Projects are analyzed and funding levels determined on the basis of a range of criteria, including:

• the project’s contribution to attaining the program’s goals and intended outcomes;
• conformity with Agency priorities;
• incentive nature of the assistance and demonstrated financial need for implementation of the project, taking other existing funding sources into account;
• demonstrable evidence that the project addresses a recognized local issue and need,  and that it can significantly contribute to the economic development of the community;
• promoter’s management ability or capability;
• viability of the enterprise or organization;
• level of risk involved;
• impact on competition;
• availability of Agency funds.

To be eligible, your project must also fall under one of the following components:

Component 1- Community Mobilization

This component aims to build communities’ capabilities in order that they may take charge of their own development. It seeks the following outcomes:

• community organizations are mobilizing and working together to address local or regional development issues;
• development and diversification plans are being prepared and implemented.

Component 2- Community Development

This component aims to encourage entrepreneurship and increase the number of new and sustainable enterprises. It seeks the following outcomes:

• individuals wishing to go into business have access to direct entrepreneurship support;
• SMEs are being created, developed and consolidating their operations.

Component 3- Attractive Communities

This component aims to increase communities’ drawing power to attract and retain tourists and skilled labour. It seeks the following outcomes:

• plans for development and commercialization of the tourism offering are being drawn up by a community or region;
• the tourism offering is improved, thereby increasing the number of tourists coming from outside Quebec;
• commercialization activities are being implemented, thereby increasing the number of tourists coming from outside Quebec;
• growth-generating projects are being implemented, thereby increasing the number of tourists coming from outside Quebec;
• communities have collective economic facilities to increase or consolidate their economic development.

What funding is offered?

Financial assistance awarded under this program is provided in the form of contributions and grants and must comply with the provisions of the Treasury Board Policy on Transfer Payments.

Eligible costs

Eligible costs include all expenses directly related to the project and deemed reasonable and necessary for its execution.

Agency priorities, policy and guidelines are taken into account in the analysis of costs.