Social innovation for Montreal’s east end – Call for projects

Description

to support new social innovation projects whose economic, social and environmental spin-offs are clearly destined for the territory targeted by the Initiative to Support Economic Development in Montréal’s East End.

Overview

At the 2023 Sommet de l’Est, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) committed to investing $30M over the next few years. This investment will support development opportunities that promote the revitalization, attractiveness and sustainable reindustrialization of Montreal’s east end.

CED is not usually directly involved in social innovation projects. Through this initiative, CED is seeking to implement innovative approaches to economic development in the area.

To this end, CED will invest $1M in organizations that are proposing social innovation projects with clear economic, social and environmental benefits for the area* targeted by the strategy for Montreal’s east end. This will be CED’s first experiment of this kind.

It is important to note that organizations submitting proposals will have to demonstrate that they have roots in the area.

Selected projects will be eligible for grants of between $15,000 and $50,000. Priority may be given to projects seeking grants of over $25,000.

*Targeted area

The area whose western boundary runs north-south along Papineau Avenue, i.e., from Rivière des Prairies to the St. Lawrence River.

Organizations located in other areas may be considered if the project will be taking place in the targeted area.

Organizations that meet the eligibility criteria outlined in this Guide are invited to apply for project funding by following the instructions in the document Preparing to submit a financing application on the CED Client Space. Applications must be received by CED by noon EST on November 29, 2024.

Objective

Through this process, CED aims to accelerate the rollout and implementation of social innovation projects in the east end of Montreal in response to an identified socio-economic need that fosters the area’s economic revitalization.

Furthermore, since CED wants to ensure the success of the selected projects, proponents may have access to structured assistance from the Maison de l’innovation sociale to support them during the implementation of their projects.

Definitions of “social innovation” for the purposes of the call for proposals

In this call for projects, CED relies on the definition provided by the Réseau québécois en innovation sociale, which describes a “social innovation” as a new idea, approach or intervention, a new service, a new product or a new type of organization, that meets a well-defined socio-economic need more adequately and sustainably than existing solutions; that has been adopted by an organization; and that produces a measurable benefit for the community, rather than just for certain individuals. The scope of a social innovation is transformative and systemic. Its inherent creativity represents a break with the status quo.

Eligibility

Eligible organizations

• Non-profit organizations (NPOs)
• Social economy enterprisesFootnote1
• Co-ops

Ineligible clients

• Non-incorporated organizations
• Businesses, including sole proprietorships
• Municipalities
• Public organizations, including health and social service agencies, schools and school boards

Types of projects

• Social innovation projects with a local economic development component
• Projects that meet the needs of local stakeholders in the area
• Although projects do not have to have a specific end-date, CED will prioritize projects that can be completed within 18 months.

NB: CED will not fund projects that are in the ideation stage; the proposed projects must be ready to be carried out by the organization leading the innovation. The proposal must clearly identify an organization/community that will benefit from the innovative solution.

Types of projects that are ineligible

• Construction, renovation or upgrading of infrastructure
• Development or enhancement of cultural, recreational or sports facilities
• Training-related projects
• Projects involving local services (e.g., direct care for individuals)
• Projects that essentially involve organizing and carrying out a fundraising campaign
• Research projects whose outcome is improved knowledge

Eligible costs

To be eligible for funding under this call for projects, costs must be directly related to the project activities and incurred during the course of, and deemed reasonable and essential to, their implementation. The main types of costs are:

• Wages associated with eligible activities
• Consultant fees
• Travel expenses
• Other costs incurred to carry out the eligible activities

The cost eligibility date in the event of a positive response from CED will be the date the application was submitted. Costs incurred prior to this date will not be eligible for funding.

Ineligible costs

• Setting up of a fund to finance projects by businesses or organizations
• Debt refinancing
• Amortization expenses
• The purchase of an asset at a price that exceeds its fair market value
• Goodwill
• All non-essential costs not directly related to the project

Funding

The call for projects has a budget of $1M.
The minimum amount of assistance per organization and per project is $15,000, and the maximum $50,000, based on financial need. CED may provide a different amount of funding than that requested.

Assistance rate

The organization must provide a cash or in-kind contribution amounting to at least 10% of the total project cost.
The assistance rate can be up to 90% of eligible costs.
The stacking of government assistance (from federal, provincial or municipal governments or government-funded organizations) cannot exceed 90%.

Evaluation process

To apply for funding, please complete the online form and attach the requested documentation. It is important to demonstrate that the proposal and the organization meet the criteria in the “Evaluation criteria” section.

To be considered compliant, applications must be received by CED by the established deadline and include all the mandatory documentation. Projects must be in line with the objectives of the call for proposals and meet the evaluation criteria.

CED may ask social innovation experts for their insight regarding the various projects.

Evaluation criteria

1. Organization’s roots in the area targeted by the call for proposals
2. Need met by the project, and the scope of the economic benefits in terms of local economic development in Montreal’s east end
3. Credibility of the approach; stakeholder engagement
4. Sustainability of the proposed project
5. The project is ready to go ahead
6. Organization has demonstrated that it has the financial capacity to pursue its activities and carry out the project
7. Presence of equity, diversity and inclusion factors, and positive environmental impacts

Organizations do not need to meet all the above-mentioned sub‑components for their applications to be considered. However, these sub-components will be used to analyze and prioritize applications received. The proposal plan must therefore clearly show how the organization and the proposal comply with these various components.

Organization’s roots in the area targeted by the call for proposals

Demonstrate your organization’s commitment to, and connection with, the local community (e.g., understanding of local issues; your community involvement and/or strategic partnerships in the targeted area) or the specific location where the project will be carried out.

Need met; expected project outcome

Explain the social and/or environmental need addressed by the project. Explain the proposed solution (the project), highlighting its innovative and creative aspects, and demonstrate the expected project outcome.

Credibility of the approach; stakeholder engagement

Demonstrate that the organization has the relevant expertise to facilitate the success of the project. Demonstrate the organization’s collaboration/partnerships with other organizations as concerns the proposed project, if applicable.

Sustainability of the proposed project

Demonstrate the capacity of the project to generate long-term, positive social and economic impacts on the target area. The long-term economic viability of the project is essential. In other words, if necessary, the project must have the capacity to generate sufficient revenue to cover its operating costs and, potentially, to expand.

The project is ready to go ahead

Demonstrate the capacity to rapidly implement the proposed project and complete it within the required timeframe by providing, for example, a clear schedule.

Organization’s financial capacity to pursue its activities and carry out the project

Provide clear, credible information about the organization’s current financial situation and its capacity to mobilize and manage the resources required for the proposed project.

Equity, diversity and inclusion factors, and positive environmental impacts

Through the funding it provides, CED is aiming to achieve a more inclusive and sustainable economy. Proposals will be evaluated based on their contribution to these priorities within the framework of CED’s regional development mandate.

Submitting a funding application

Required documentation

The application form and the requested documentation must be submitted by noon EST on November 29, 2024, via the CED Client Space. Only a (formally delegated) signing authority may complete and submit a funding application. The signing authority:

• Is an individual who can legally bind the organization by approving official documents such as contribution agreements, or amendments to, or declarations or claims made under, such documents.
• May be an administrator listed in the REQ (Quebec business registry), such as a president, vice-president, secretary, or any other person within an organization who has been granted this authority by means of a letter of mandate, a resolution of the board of directors, an internal delegation of authority, etc.

A complete file must include the following:

The proposal must be in Word format (Arial 11 font) and no longer than eight pages (excluding appendices). It must demonstrate how the project meets the evaluation criteria in the call for projects. It must also include the following elements:

Although projects do not have to have a specific end-date, CED will prioritize projects that can be completed within 18 months.

1. An application form, duly completed and submitted by the signing authority.
2.