Quebec
Economic Development Grants

Community Loan Fund for Women, Self-Employment/Entrepreneurship Training Program
Lachute
2009-2014: $365,000 over five years
This program offers broad-ranging services to help low-income women (many of whom live in isolated rural communities) start a small business. Training includes an introduction to self-employment and entrepreneurship; loan circles; business plan preparation, action planning, and help identifying financial support and partners.

The program also offers a business development loan fund to support businesses that have already started up. Additional marketing and networking training, access to microcredit and business management resources are offered to participants in the loan fund.

Approximately 500 women will be trained through this program over the next five years.

Option Femmes Emploi, Business Coaching To Strengthen Entrepreneurial Capacity
Gatineau
2009-2014: $365,000 over five years
Business Coaching To Strengthen Entrepreneurial Capacity helps self-employed women grow their business and increase their financial stability. Offered to women who have been operating a business for at least one year, the program provides individual and group training on strategic planning, accounting, market research, networking, and effective business management. Training focuses on individuals’ business goals, accomplishments, challenges, and action plans for growing their businesses.

Approximately 175 women will be trained through this program over the next five years.

Fonds d’Emprunt Communautaire Feminin, Lachute: $241,651 (2003-2008)
This self-employment training program offers coaching and support for 140 women starting small businesses. Women who want to work in a group can join the Women’s Loan Circle, a collective approach that emphasizes peer support. Training and individual coaching are offered to help prepare and improve participants’ business plans. Participants can also access technical and financial support.

Compagnie F, Montréal: $270,200 (2003-2008)
Compagnie F operates a light lunch café and provides self-employment training and coaching for women entrepreneurs. The goal of the initiative is to support women entrepreneurs with the tools and training to improve their marketing and promotional skills. This is offered through practical exercises, workshops, mentoring and networking activities.