COVID emergency funding and large Vision Fund grants totalling £287,772
SEPTEMBER 30th 2020
Since 2017 we have supported sporting groups with Micro Fund grants, COVID emergency funding and large Vision Fund grants totalling £287,772
From dance and gymnastics equipment in Ferndale and Aberdare to football kits and equipment in Pentre, Glynneath and Blaengwynfi. Bowls clubs in Treherbert and Blaengwynfi, junior golf and swimming clubs, saunas in Rhigos, kayaks in Resolven, angling, Nordic walking and rugby, gyms in Aberaman and Glynneath, kickboxing and athletics. Girls rugby and water polo, building practice pitches to a 3 day mountain bike festival. These are just some of the projects the fund has invested in.
This funding has helped sports groups upgrade essential equipment, increase participation, engage young people in sporting activity, address mental health and self-esteem issues. It has helped sports buildings improve, offered new services, started up new activities for all ages and supported major facilities upgrades.
The community asked the fund to:
- Have communities that are healthier and more active
- Make it easier for people to live healthy lifestyles
- Start young to tackle long term issues
- Have fit for purpose community facilities
- Provide sporting facilities and play areas for all ages that are well used and maintained
Along with funding from Sport Wales, governing bodies and other funders Pen y Cymoedd funding will have a real, lasting impact on the variety and quality of sporting and recreational facilities during the lifetime of the fund and beyond.
If you have an idea for a small project that will have a real impact, if you want to upgrade facilities to make organisation better for years to come or if you have a big, exciting visionary project in mind – talk to us!
Interlink RCT and NPTCVS have development officers whose job is to support community organisations with development, planning and funding and can give you lots of advice and guidance as well.
The Fund was established by energy company Vattenfall to benefit the communities hosting the Pen y Cymoedd wind farm across the upper Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon Valleys. It exists to support local people, groups and organisations to invest in themselves, their ideas and their communities.
The Community Fund has a substantial annual budget that is index-linked, meaning it increases in line with inflation. As an example, this equated to around £2.5 million in 2025. The Fund will continue to support communities until 2043, creating long-term opportunities for growth, resilience and positive change.
The Fund is managed by an independent, locally based not-for-profit Community Interest Company. It is overseen by a Board of Directors with strong local connections and delivered by a small but dedicated staff team with extensive community engagement experience. We are here to help ensure the Fund delivers on the vision and priorities of local communities.
Over the next 10 years, the Fund is focusing on investment in people, places and businesses — helping the Valleys to thrive, driving bold ideas, supporting transformation and creating lasting impact for current and future generations.