Welsh Government

Charity Number: CUSTOM_2F87D560

Annual Expenditure: £1100.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,100,000,000+ (over £1.1 billion in specific grants annually, plus £6.1 billion core funding to local authorities)
  • Success Rate: 11% (for competitive research grants; varies significantly by program)
  • Decision Time: 8-12 weeks (varies by program)
  • Grant Range: £300 - £300,000 (varies significantly by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Wales

Contact Details

Website: https://www.gov.wales/

Grants Centre of Excellence Email: Ymholiadau.Grant.Queries@gov.wales

General Contact: https://www.gov.wales/contact-welsh-government

Funding Search Portal: https://funding.cymru/en/

Pre-application Support: County Voluntary Councils across Wales provide support with developing funding applications

Overview

The Welsh Government is the devolved government for Wales, established in 1999, and operates as a major grant-making body across multiple sectors. With an annual grant budget exceeding £1.1 billion in specific revenue and capital grants, plus core funding to local authorities of £6.1 billion, the Welsh Government supports communities, businesses, education, health, culture, and environmental initiatives across Wales. The government's grant-making is guided by its Programme for Government 2021-2026, which emphasizes cutting NHS waiting times, creating jobs, improving education standards, and building an anti-racist Wales. Recent strategic shifts include moving from short-term annual grant cycles toward longer-duration funding that enables deep-rooted, lasting benefits, and reducing administrative burden through grant consolidation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Facilities Programme: £7 million annually

  • Small grants: Under £25,000 (rolling applications)
  • Large grants: £25,000 - £300,000 (applications open from October 1)
  • Focus: Physical improvements to community buildings and equipment purchases

Third Sector Support: £21 million for voluntary sector infrastructure

  • Supports Third Sector Support Wales network
  • Multi-year funding available

Democratic Engagement Fund: £400,000 annually (2025-28)

  • Open to third-sector organisations, community groups, and local authorities
  • Grants above £1,000 require application during specific windows

Social Welfare Information and Advice Services: £12 million annually (2025-28)

  • Supports coordination and delivery of social welfare advice services

Wales and Africa Grant Scheme: Total pool varies

  • £5,000 - £25,000 per project
  • 12-month projects supporting Wales and Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Application window: September-October

Volunteering Wales Grants: Amount varies

  • Promotes and improves volunteering across Wales

Coastal Communities Fund: £22 million distributed since 2012

  • Supports coastal business and community development

Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme: General funding rounds

  • Applications typically in spring with 2-month processing time

Tourism Weather-proofing Fund: £1.75 million

  • Capital grants for tourism and hospitality businesses

Anti-Racist Wales Culture Fund: Amount varies annually

  • Supports cultural organisations advancing anti-racism goals

Curriculum for Wales Grant Support Programme: £12 million+ (2025-26)

  • Supports literacy, numeracy, and curriculum priorities

Strategic Voluntary Youth Work Organisations Grant: £1.1 million annually (2025-28)

  • Supports youth work organisations

Welsh Language Community Projects (Prosiect Perthyn): £250,000+

  • Grants up to £12,500 per project
  • Supports Welsh language community initiatives

Woodland and Environmental Grants (TWIG Programme): £3 million+ per round

  • Grants range from tens of thousands to £250,000+
  • Supports woodland creation and management

SMART Flexible Innovation Support (SFIS): £11.8 million distributed

  • Supports 148+ innovation projects in priority sectors

Priority Areas

The Welsh Government actively funds projects that:

  • Health and Social Care: Cutting NHS waiting times, diagnostic equipment, social services
  • Education: School buildings, curriculum support, literacy and numeracy, youth services
  • Community Development: Community facilities, volunteering, local infrastructure
  • Culture and Language: Welsh language projects, arts organisations, anti-racist initiatives
  • Economic Development: Tourism, coastal communities, innovation, rural businesses
  • Environment: Woodland creation, peatland restoration, climate action
  • Housing: Decarbonisation, social housing, affordable housing
  • International Development: Wales-Africa partnerships aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Democratic Engagement: Projects improving participation in democracy
  • Anti-Racism: Projects supporting Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions vary by program, the Welsh Government generally:

  • Requires community-led applications (not solely public sector-led)
  • May restrict funding to organisations with less than £150,000 in unrestricted reserves (Community Facilities Programme)
  • Typically does not fund projects outside Wales (except Wales-Africa partnerships)
  • Focuses on outcomes aligned with Programme for Government priorities
  • May exclude retrospective funding (varies by scheme)
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Governance and Leadership

First Minister Eluned Morgan sets the strategic direction for Welsh Government funding. In recent announcements, she stated: “After speaking to people across Wales, I set out my four priorities, which includes cutting the longest waiting times and speeding up access to NHS treatment.” She emphasized: “We are delivering on what people want – funding our NHS and cutting the longest waiting times, creating jobs and working to improve education standards. I am determined we go further and work faster, and this extra funding will help us do just that in these priority areas.”

Jack Sargeant, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, oversees cultural funding. He stated: "I'm pleased to announce additional funding this year to protect jobs and organisations in our arts sector.“ Regarding the 2025 culture priorities, he said: ”I am pleased to publish the Priorities for Culture today, delivering on our Programme for Government commitment. This £15 million investment provides vital funding to support our cultural ambitions and will have significant impact across Wales."

The Grants Centre of Excellence was established to improve grant-making practices, driving a fundamental shift from short-term or annual grant cycles toward longer-duration funding. This team provides policy guidance and supports grant managers across Welsh Government departments.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application methods vary significantly by grant program:

  • Funding Wales Portal: Many grants use the free online search engine at funding.cymru/en, requiring registration to search and apply
  • Online Portals: Specific programs have dedicated application portals (e.g., Student Finance Wales for learning grants)
  • GOV.WALES: Program-specific pages provide guidance and application forms
  • Rolling Basis: Some programs accept applications year-round (e.g., Community Facilities Programme small grants)
  • Fixed Deadlines: Many programs have specific application windows (e.g., Wales and Africa Grant Scheme opens September, closes October 31)
  • First-Come-First-Served: Some programs operate until funds are exhausted

Decision Timeline

Processing times vary by program complexity:

  • Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme: Approximately 2 months from application deadline to grant award
  • Community Facilities Programme: Typically 8-12 weeks for smaller grants; longer for large grants requiring more scrutiny
  • Standard Timeline: Most planning and grant applications aim for 8-week decisions, with complex applications taking up to 16 weeks
  • Project Start: Successful applicants typically receive Grant Award letters and can start projects within 2-3 months of decision

Success Rates

Success rates are highly competitive and vary significantly by program:

  • Horizon Europe Research Grants: 11% success rate for Welsh applicants (improved from 6% in previous funding round, but below UK average of 17%)
  • Prosiect Perthyn (Welsh Language): 21 successful applications from total applicants (specific percentage not disclosed)
  • Coastal Communities Fund: 102 projects funded from applications received (percentage not specified)

The Welsh Government has established support infrastructure including the Welsh Innovation Network (WIN) and Horizon Europe Unit to help improve success rates for competitive funding applications.

Reapplication Policy

The Welsh Government actively encourages reapplication from unsuccessful applicants:

  • Democratic Engagement Grant: “An unsuccessful application does not prevent you from applying again and the grant manager will be available to meet with you to discuss the feedback.”
  • Grant Manager Support: Unsuccessful applicants can request meetings with grant managers to discuss feedback and improve future applications
  • No Waiting Period: Generally, unsuccessful applicants can reapply in subsequent funding rounds without penalty
  • Feedback Available: Grant managers provide feedback to help applicants understand rejection reasons and strengthen resubmissions

Application Success Factors

Specific Advice from the Funder

The Welsh Government's Grants Centre of Excellence has developed key principles that underpin grant policy:

  • Alignment with Programme for Government: Applications must demonstrate clear links to Welsh Government priorities
  • Community-Led Approach: Projects should be community-driven with partners from public, private, or third sectors
  • Longer-Term Impact: Preference for projects demonstrating lasting benefits beyond the funding period
  • Reduced Administrative Burden: Streamlined applications reflect consolidation of grant schemes

Successful Project Examples

Recent funded projects demonstrate what the Welsh Government values:

Community & Language:

  • CarTrefUn (£12,500): Transformed former chapel into heritage centre, café, and affordable flats in Hermon, Pembrokeshire
  • Aberdyfi Community Projects Ltd (£12,000): Created sustainable economic community with Welsh language focus

Economic Development:

  • Halen Môn (£298,608): Diversified sea salt business with new products and expanded smoked products range
  • Colwyn Bay Watersports CIC (£100,000): Increased staff and equipment for sailing, windsurfing, and powerboating tuition
  • Cwrw Llyn (£64,400): Developed and expanded micro brewery enterprise

Environment:

  • The Penllergare Trust (£249,150): Transformed valley into National Forest Hub with improved access to historic woodlands

Language and Terminology

Successful applications use language that:

  • References “Programme for Government” priorities
  • Emphasizes community benefit and lasting impact
  • Demonstrates partnership working across sectors
  • Highlights equality and anti-racism where relevant
  • Shows sustainability and value for money
  • Uses Welsh Government's focus on “stronger, fairer, greener Wales”

Common Success Factors

  • Clear community need: Evidence-based demonstration of need
  • Strategic alignment: Direct links to Welsh Government priorities
  • Partnership approach: Multi-sector collaboration
  • Realistic budgets: Well-justified costs with value for money
  • Measurable outcomes: Clear targets and evaluation plans
  • Sustainability: Plans for long-term impact beyond funding period
  • Appropriate reserves: For Community Facilities Programme, less than £150,000 in unrestricted reserves

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Prioritize Programme for Government alignment: The Welsh Government's four main priorities (NHS waiting times, jobs, education, anti-racism) should be explicitly referenced where your project connects to them
  • Emphasize community leadership: Applications must demonstrate genuine community ownership and involvement, not just public sector delivery with community recipients
  • Think longer-term: The Welsh Government is moving away from annual cycles toward multi-year funding; demonstrate how your project creates lasting change beyond the immediate grant period
  • Use County Voluntary Councils: These organizations provide free pre-application support and understand local Welsh Government funding landscapes
  • Don't be deterred by rejection: Reapplication is actively encouraged with grant manager support available to discuss feedback and strengthen proposals
  • Register early on Funding Wales: Many opportunities are listed on the funding.cymru portal; registration is required before applying
  • Match grant to project scale: With programs ranging from £300 to £300,000, carefully select the appropriate funding stream for your project size and scope

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