Objectives:
- Fund projects that work closely with people and communities in Wales.
- Support projects accessible to their community addressing key local issues.
- Help communities to come together, support children and young people to thrive, enable healthier lives, and promote environmental sustainability.
- Encourage community involvement in project development, design, and delivery.
- Build on community skills, experiences, and strengths.
- Fill gaps by understanding existing local services and activities.
- Consider environmental impact, e.g., reducing pollution through shared travel.
Target Beneficiaries:
- Constituted voluntary or community organizations, registered charities, not-for-profit companies, community interest companies, social enterprises, schools (benefiting local communities), and statutory bodies in Wales.
- Projects must primarily benefit people living in Wales.
- Must have at least 3 unrelated board or committee members.
- Cannot fund individuals, sole traders, profit-making companies, or organizations outside the UK.
Funding Details:
- Grants range from £20,001 to £100,000.
- Support for up to five years.
- Total available funding: £20 million for 2024-2025.
- Can fund new or existing projects, planning for land/building work, capital costs (land, buildings, vehicles, refurbishments).
- Can cover overheads, equipment, events, staff, training, transport, utilities, volunteer expenses, and professional fees for planning capital projects.
Application Process:
- Must contact the fund for an informal chat via email or phone before applying.
- Eligible applicants receive an online application form.
- Support available for communication needs (Easy Read, PDF versions).
- Application requires details on project plans, community involvement, delivery, and environmental impact.
- Additional documentation needed for vehicle purchase or land/building projects.
- Two unrelated contacts from the organization required (one for queries, one senior responsible person).
- Financial details and organizational accounts must be provided.
- Agreement to terms and conditions required.
Key Features:
- Emphasis on equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion; projects should be accessible and promote equalities.
- Projects must be bilingual in English and Welsh.
- Environmental impact must be considered with encouragement to create environmental action plans.
- Safeguarding policies required for projects involving children, young people, or vulnerable adults.
- Decision timeline: typically 15 weeks after application submission.
- Funding officers provide contract details and support post-approval.
- Applicants encouraged to share their project stories to engage communities.
Restrictions:
- No funding for retrospective costs.
- No funding for alcohol.
- No funding for contingency.
- No funding for loans or interest.
- No funding for application writing fees.
- No funding for profit-making activities.
- No funding for VAT reclaimable.
- No funding for religious content projects.
- No funding for statutory activities.
- No funding for school-time educational support.
- No funding for overseas travel.
- No funding for projects outside the UK.
- No funding for direct cash payments to individuals.
This funding program aims to empower Welsh communities by supporting impactful, inclusive, and sustainable projects that address local needs and foster community strength and wellbeing.
