The Fonds de développement des entreprises d’économie sociale (FDEÉS) (social enterprise development fund) is a program to support collective entrepreneurship in Vaudreuil-Soulanges. Financial assistance is paid out in the form of grants.
Social enterprises, which help drive local and regional economic development, arise from local talent and community leadership. The FDEÉS promotes innovative projects that meet the needs recognized and prioritized by the community.
Social enterprises are constituted as cooperatives or non-profits. They differ from community organizations in that they are actual businesses and obtain most of their income by selling goods or services to the public. They differ from the private sector in that they seek to meet a need in the community rather than to deliver profits to their shareholders.
To qualify, the proposal must meet certain conditions, including the following:
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. The project promoter must meet with a DEV team member to complete certain steps.