Awards for All Wales 2025: Cymraeg Applications & Welsh Community Priorities

What Makes Awards for All Wales Special?

Awards for All Wales operates within the unique context of a proudly bilingual nation where community identity runs deep. The programme recognises that Welsh communities – whether in the Welsh-speaking heartlands of Gwynedd or the multicultural neighborhoods of Cardiff – have distinctive characteristics that require tailored approaches.

The National Lottery Community Fund Wales doesn't just translate English priorities into Welsh. Instead, it has developed funding criteria that reflect Wales' specific challenges and opportunities: supporting the Welsh language, addressing rural isolation, celebrating cultural heritage, and building sustainable communities in a landscape where small villages and market towns remain central to national identity.

Welsh Language Provision: A Competitive Advantage

Understanding the Language Landscape

Wales has 562,000 Welsh speakers (19% of the population), but they're not evenly distributed. Understanding your local linguistic landscape is crucial:

• Gwynedd and Anglesey – Over 65% Welsh speakers, expect bilingual provision
• Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire – 40-50% Welsh speakers, strong cultural identity
• Powys and Pembrokeshire – 15-25% Welsh speakers, often concentrated in specific areas
• Cardiff and Newport – Growing Welsh-speaking communities despite lower percentages

How to Address Welsh Language in Your Application

Even if your group isn't Welsh-speaking, you can demonstrate cultural awareness:

• Bilingual signage – Include costs for Welsh/English signs and materials
• Translation services – Budget for interpreters at community events
• Welsh learning opportunities – Offer taster sessions or informal Welsh practice
• Cultural celebration – Include St. David's Day, Eisteddfod, or local Welsh festivals

Successful example: Rhondda Community Kitchen received £8,200 partly because they committed to bilingual recipe cards and cooking instructions, helping Welsh learners practice the language while developing practical skills.

Wales-Specific Community Priorities

1. Sustainable Rural Communities

Rural Wales faces unique challenges: young people leaving for opportunities, aging populations, limited transport, and service closures. Successful projects demonstrate how they'll help rural communities thrive rather than just survive:

• Multi-generational activities that keep families connected to their communities
• Skills sharing that preserves traditional knowledge while developing new capabilities
• Creative transport solutions like community car schemes or mobile services
• Local economic development through markets, craft groups, or tourism initiatives

2. Cultural Heritage and Identity

Wales values projects that strengthen cultural connections:

• Storytelling and oral history – Particularly in Welsh or about local traditions
• Traditional crafts and skills – From wool production to slate carving
• Music and performance – Choirs, folk groups, and community theatre
• Place-based identity – Projects celebrating local landmarks, history, or characters

3. Environmental Stewardship

Wales' stunning landscape is central to national identity. Environmental projects often succeed when they combine conservation with community building:

• Community growing – Gardens, orchards, and food production
• Wildlife conservation – Protecting local species and habitats
• Sustainable living – Reducing waste, energy efficiency, and climate resilience
• Outdoor learning – Using Wales' natural environment for education and wellbeing

Regional Variations Across Wales

North Wales (Gogledd Cymru)

Welsh language provision is often expected rather than optional. Successful projects typically:

• Operate bilingually from the start
• Connect to local Ysgol (schools) and Cylch Meithrin (Welsh nursery groups)
• Build on strong community networks and voluntary traditions
• Address challenges of tourism impact on local communities

Example: Anglesey Youth Theatre received £9,800 to produce bilingual performances, giving young people opportunities to use Welsh creatively while building confidence and community connections.

Mid Wales (Canolbarth Cymru)

Sparse population and rural challenges dominate. Winning projects often:

• Serve multiple small communities rather than focusing on single villages
• Use mobile or flexible delivery models
• Build strong partnerships with local councils and Menter Iaith groups
• Address isolation while celebrating rural lifestyle benefits

South Wales (De Cymru)

Post-industrial communities with strong solidarity traditions. Successful applications typically:

• Build on existing community networks and local pride
• Address economic challenges through skills development and mutual support
• Connect diverse communities in urban areas
• Revitalise community spaces and traditions

Working with Welsh Partners

Essential Welsh Connections

Strong partnerships enhance Welsh applications:

• Community Councils – Wales' equivalent of parish councils, crucial for local credibility
• Menter Iaith – Local Welsh language initiatives, valuable even for English-language projects
• GAVO/CVA/CVS networks – County Voluntary Councils providing local voluntary sector support
• Welsh Government initiatives – Show alignment with national priorities
• Urdd or WI groups – Established community organizations with strong local roots

Leveraging Welsh Networks

Wales' compact size means strong networks. Use this to your advantage:

• Connect to similar projects in other Welsh communities
• Reference support from national Welsh organisations
• Show how your project could be a model for other Welsh communities
• Demonstrate links to all-Wales movements or campaigns

Common Mistakes in Welsh Applications

Ignoring Welsh Context

Applications that could be from anywhere in the UK miss Wales' unique character. Always reference specific Welsh contexts, even if subtle:

• Use correct Welsh spellings for place names
• Reference Welsh cultural events or traditions
• Show awareness of Welsh social and economic context
• Demonstrate understanding of local community structure

Overlooking Language Sensitivity

Even in predominantly English-speaking areas, some residents may prefer Welsh. Show cultural awareness:

• Offer basic Welsh greetings or phrases in activities
• Include Welsh names on promotional materials
• Acknowledge local Welsh speakers in your planning
• Show willingness to accommodate Welsh language requests

Underestimating Rural Challenges

Welsh rurality has specific characteristics. Don't assume urban solutions work in rural Wales:

• Factor in travel distances and limited transport
• Consider seasonal variations (farming, tourism, weather)
• Account for limited infrastructure (broadband, venues, services)
• Understand the importance of informal community networks

Budgeting for Welsh Projects

Costs in Wales vary significantly between urban and rural areas, and some Wales-specific considerations apply:

• Translation costs – Budget for bilingual materials, signage, and interpreters
• Travel expenses – Rural Wales often requires higher transport budgets
• Specialist skills – Welsh-speaking facilitators or cultural experts may cost more
• Accessibility – Remote locations may need additional accessibility provisions

Celebrating Welsh Success Stories

Community Choir Renaissance

Wales' choral tradition has seen remarkable revival through Awards for All:

• Men's choirs in former mining communities rebuilding after pit closures
• Mixed voice choirs bringing together different community groups
• Children's choirs preserving Welsh folk songs
• Specialist choirs for people with dementia or disabilities

Community Growing Movement

From Pembrokeshire to Flintshire, community gardens flourish:

• Teaching traditional Welsh vegetables and herbs
• Providing fresh food in areas with limited shops
• Creating intergenerational learning opportunities
• Building community resilience and environmental awareness

After Award: Welsh Reporting and Networking

Successful Welsh projects join a supportive national network. The National Lottery Community Fund Wales provides:

• Rhwydwaith (Networks) – Connections with similar projects across Wales
• Learning events – Often held in accessible Welsh venues
• Bilingual support – All guidance and support available in Welsh
• Policy influence – Opportunities to inform Welsh Government policy development

Pathways to Larger Welsh Funding

Awards for All success opens doors to significant Welsh funding opportunities:

• Welsh Government grants – Community facilities and social enterprises
• European successor funding – Through Welsh Government replacement programmes
• Foundation Wales – Specialist grants for Welsh communities
• National Lottery larger grants – Building on Awards for All success

Professional Support for Welsh Applications

While Awards for All Wales applications are accessible, the cultural and linguistic nuances can be challenging for groups unfamiliar with Welsh community development approaches.

Crafty's AI-powered grant writing service understands Welsh community priorities and can help you craft applications that authentically represent your project while demonstrating appropriate cultural sensitivity. Our technology has analysed successful Welsh applications to identify the approaches that resonate with assessors.

Pob Lwc - Good Luck with Your Application

Wales' strong community traditions provide an excellent foundation for Awards for All success. Whether your project celebrates Welsh language and culture or simply demonstrates respect for the communities you serve, the key is authenticity.

Show assessors how your project will strengthen the social fabric that makes Welsh communities special – the mutual support, cultural pride, environmental stewardship, and linguistic diversity that define modern Wales.

Your £300-£10,000 grant can make a significant difference in Welsh communities where resources are often stretched but community spirit remains strong. Focus on building connections, celebrating identity, and creating sustainable positive change that reflects Welsh values.

Awards for All Wales isn't just funding – it's an investment in the Wales of tomorrow. Your application should tell a story of how National Lottery support will help your community flourish while remaining true to Welsh character and values.