Cymraeg / Welsh

Cymraeg / Welsh

  • enquiries@penycymoeddcic.cymru
  • Tel: 01685 878785
Apply For Funding$About The Fund$

Apply For Funding

About the Fund

FRIENDS OF WCKA RCT

APRIL 9th 2019

MICRO FUND GRANT – £4.998
This new group (of parents and friends) had been set up to raise funds to send children and adults to the WKU World Kickboxing Championships in Athens in October 2018. The 17 students (aged 9 – 47) that they aimed to fund train in the Sobell sports centre in Aberdare and all had qualified for Team Wales. The championship competition is a high-profile event in this sport where Team Wales have excelled in the past 2 years.
“As a group of 17 we travelled to Greece and won 11 Gold medals, 11 Silver medals and 12 Bronze medals with Wales finishing 6th out of the 38 countries competing. The grant allowed us to buy kit for all students ensuring there was less financial burden and affordability did not prevent anyone with ability talking part. All of these youngsters have returned with heightened confidence some returning as World Champions, students who went out shy have matured and made friendships with people from all across the world. They have returned to their clubs as role models, inspiring others through their commitment and desire to succeed. We are so grateful for the Pen y Cymoedd grant.” – Andrew Williams Friends of WCKA RCT
 
How this project met the fund’s priorities:
Communities that are healthier and more active / Starting young to tackle long term issues / A wide range of opportunities locally to be healthy, active and engaged.

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.

Back To Case Studies