New grant fund to tackle poverty

A new small grant fund that aims to tackle poverty has been announced by the Welsh Labour’s Minister for Local Government and Communities, Carl Sargeant.

From April, funding totalling £3.8 million a year will be available to organisations across Wales from the Tackling Poverty Small Grants Fund.   The new Fund incorporates the Communities First Trust Fund and the small grants scheme that was previously available via the Community Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP).

This new fund providing grants of up to £3,000 a year will retain the best features of both previous schemes but will be much more clearly aligned to current Welsh Government priorities. Grants will be available for a wide range of activities including education and training initiatives, play facilities, child care facilities for those undertaking education or training, as well as for sports equipment and venue and equipment hire for events connected with promoting healthy living, economic or educational development.

All Communities First Clusters will also be able to apply for a few larger grants each year to support their local Delivery Plans.  Applicants will need to demonstrate how the proposal is relevant to the Welsh Government’s Tackling Poverty agenda and confirm that the main beneficiaries are primarily people most in need of support.