£3.7 million to improve community facilities in deprived areas of Wales

Thirteen projects will share the funding during 2017/18 from the Welsh Government’s Community Facilities programme. 

The programme provides capital grants of up to £500,000, to develop and improve facilities for communities, aimed at tackling poverty and its effects. 

The 13 projects to receive funding all provide access to services and activities which increase opportunity and help prevent or alleviate poverty, such as sporting facilities, hostel accommodation for homeless young people and library facilities. Seven of the projects are in Communities First areas.

Announcing the funding on a visit to the ASK Centre in Rhyl a previous beneficiary of the scheme, Cabinet Secretary Carl Sargeant said: 

“This funding is not simply about improving buildings. In applying for these grants community organisations have had to demonstrate how the facilities they offer provide vital community services which help prevent or tackle poverty. For example, activities for Communities First or Families First; operating a food bank, hosting advice services or saving a service which would otherwise be lost to the community such as a shop or library.

“Previous funding under this scheme has had a beneficial impact upon Welsh communities and the day to day lives of local people. While this is the last round of awards under the current funding arrangements a revised scheme will reopen this summer.”