Scouts go Green
APRIL 1st 2024
In September 2023, the 13th Cwmgwrach Scout Group approached the fund. Established in 1980 with around 50 members and 12 volunteers they are a solid group providing a really great activity for young people in the area.
Their Scout Hall had experienced severe flooding earlier in the year, which resulted in the loss of numerous pieces of equipment and serious damage. They approached us to help with new doors, windows, and radiators because they had been working nonstop to get the place back up and running and they viewed this as an opportunity to make the hall even better.
This would help finish the renovation to make the building warmer, more comfortable, more energy efficient and to reduce energy costs. We were pleased to award a Micro Fund grant and then a couple of months later they had good news that the radiators would be covered by insurance and so they returned a small part of the grant and so our final award to them was £3,965
“We backed them because we want well-loved, fit for purpose community spaces, and we were pleased with their willingness to use this as a chance to upgrade and future-proof the building. It was evident from their re-opening this week that they have put a lot of work into it and that the venue will be well-used and maintained. Enjoy and keep up the good work.” – Kate Breeze, Executive Director
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.