Social development

This component is earmarked for projects, initiatives, and partnership agreements targeting Indigenous social development through relevant action adapted to the realities of Indigenous people. Such projects may have significant benefits in terms of improving the living conditions of Indigenous people in Québec. The objectives are to

• help improve physical and social living conditions in Indigenous communities,
• foster the inclusion of Indigenous people in Québec society and encourage citizen engagement and peaceful coexistence, and
• encourage cooperation between Indigenous people and both Québec networks and local and regional communities.

• Indigenous nation communities recognized by the Québec National Assembly
• Indigenous nonprofit organizations or equivalent
• Non-Indigenous nonprofit organizations that provide services for Indigenous people
• The Assembly of the First Nations of Québec and Labrador and its committees

• All applicants must provide the following information:
• A description of the proposed project or initiative that
  • sets out the objective in relation to the component’s objectives,
  • specifies the activities and resources that must be put in place to carry out the project or initiative,
  • includes the schedule for the project or initiative, and
  • indicates the results expected within a specific period and anticipated spinoffs for Indigenous people.
• A financing arrangement showing
  • financial need, and
  • the expected sources of funds.
• A detailed budget and a statement showing the applicant’s financial situation

To be eligible, projects and initiatives must meet the objectives of this component, be submitted to the SAA no later than October 1, 2021, and be completed no later than March 31, 2022.

Eligible projects and initiatives concern

• the promotion of healthy life habits,
• the development of Indigenous cultures and better relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people,
• racism and discrimination,
• public education and the promotion of citizen engagement,
• the development of skills among social workers, and
• collaboration on issues specific to Indigenous development.

Project is understood to mean specific activities to meet specific needs in the short and medium term. An initiative refers to activities carried out with multiyear support, to meet specific needs over the long term.

It is important for initiatives and projects to be far-reaching and innovative. This can be demonstrated through the significant, long-lasting impact expected as well as through the improvement to practices that may occur as a result.

The far-reaching nature of a project or initiative could

• address a known social issue that is current and sometimes urgent,
• aim to ensure that the actions are suitable for addressing a social issue,
• include a long-term or recurring aspect, and
• have effects that are tangible and defined.

Social mobilization

Projects or initiatives in this category must have a mobilizing effect on Indigenous communities in general. They must also be submitted by Indigenous nonprofit organization and have garnered consensus among the Indigenous nations concerned. Projects or initiatives in this category are assessed on the participation level among Indigenous communities or nations and on the significant effects they could generate.

Partnership agreements are entered into to fund social development projects and initiatives through pooled contributions from each partner. Agreements between the SAA and its partners are based on shared objectives and responsibilities, and each party’s mission.

A partnership agreement must be founded on common concerns and used as a tool for planning, cooperation, and bringing partners together. It must name one or more organizations to carry out the work.

Agreements entered into under these initiatives must comply with the following:

• They must enhance the SAA’s action by providing value that supplements the other financial assistance programs offered by the Government of Québec.
• Actions or initiatives under the agreement must be far-reaching, innovative, and limited in time.

• Funding of one-time projects that last less than one month
• Funding of basic and everyday activities (operational tasks that are regularly or usually carried out by an organization)
• Funding of literary publications
• Organizing and running events, such as
  • tournaments,
  • pow-wows,
  • games,
  • galas and
  • festivals.

In general, the cost of carrying out eligible activities within social development projects or initiatives are authorized, including

• professional services and salaries (coordinators, leaders, trainers, hosts, researchers, local staff, etc.);
• training and workshop costs;
• travel and transportation (according to the Government of Québec rate schedule);
• assessment costs (surveys, response plans, etc.);
• promotion and advertising;
• hospitality fees and costs;
• printing and distribution of documents for the project or initiative;
• renting space for the project or initiative;
• equipment and supplies; and
• costs associated with preparing financial documents and other reports required in order to comply with the financial agreement for
• a project or initiative.

For Social Mobilization projects or initiatives that show a need for funding to pay the operating costs of an organization, the Government of Québec can cover such costs for up to five years.

The administrative costs of a project or initiative cannot exceed 10% of the financial assistance granted.

Costs for purchasing buildings are not eligible.

Applications are assessed according to the following criteria:

• The suitability of the project or initiative, demonstrated by
  • eligibility in accordance with the terms and conditions of the component, and
  • compatibility of the objectives with the objectives for this component.
• The quality of the project or initiative, demonstrated by
  • the clarity and precision of the objectives;
  • the ability to carry out the project or initiative;
  • the quality of the services, programming, and activities; and
  • the realistic nature of the budget forecasts, financial arrangements, and completion schedule.
• The anticipated spinoffs, demonstrated by
  • the results to be achieved from the funds requested, and
  • the far-reaching effects for Indigenous people.

Financial assistance is in the form of a non-repayable contribution. Support from the Government of Québec cannot exceed 80% of eligible expenses.

For partnership agreements, the Government of Québec can meet up to 100% of eligible expenses. However, contributions from all partners (or the total funding from sources other than the SAA) must equal at least 20% of all eligible expenses. Contributions in the form of services can be included in calculating financial contributions from partners.

Eligible organizations must declare all confirmed and expected sources in their application for funding. The SAA will verify that no other sources are paying for the same expenses.

Grants are to be formalized in a financial agreement not to exceed five government fiscal years. The agreement must include

• the obligations of the signatories, and
• a detailed description of the project and the objectives relevant to the funding.

Each organization must provide, at a minimum, an annual report in accordance with the provisions in the financial agreement. The report must include

• a full report on all activities carried out, and
• a description of the results achieved in relation to the objectives.

The agreement specifies the activities, payment conditions, and commitments made by each party.