A new grant scheme opens next month that will build on the ongoing commitment to fund volunteering projects that support young people, the Welsh language, tackling poverty, under-represented groups, social exclusion, and people who need a bit of extra support for reasons of health, confidence, ability or culture.
The new single grant scheme opens on 1 September 2016. Volunteering Wales Grants is funded by Welsh Government to promote volunteering in Wales. The scheme will be administered by third sector umbrella body Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) and will mean closer working with the 19 county voluntary councils (CVCs) based in each of Wales’ unitary authorities.
‘Volunteering grants are an important way in which resources are channelled from Welsh Government to support volunteers in making a real difference on the ground, said Ruth Marks, WCVA Chief Executive.
‘For example, last year volunteers took on a variety of roles including supporting a young mum who was struggling to maintain the condition of her home and to interact with her children. Because of the support from the volunteer that young mum now feels she has the skills and confidence to cope with family life.
‘Weekly telephone calls from volunteers have given people in recovery from addiction hope and encouragement to continue their journey, and in some cases reduce their self harming.
‘Last year volunteering grants to 84 organisations helped to recruit over 4,300 volunteers and supported over 400,000 hours of volunteer time.’
Volunteering Wales is a brand associated with Wales-wide volunteering services delivered by WCVA, the CVCs and volunteers centres. It is also the name for the all-Wales website, (www.volunteering-wales.net) which gives information and advice about getting involved in volunteering.
The aim of the scheme is to support formal volunteering projects that recruit, support, train and place new volunteers; and support volunteering projects working towards meeting the Volunteering Wales Grants themes based around the Welsh Government’s volunteering policy.
There is a maximum of £20,000 available per grant and an organisation will be eligible to apply if:
- it is a not-for-profit organisation and is independent of government and private sectors
- its proposed project /activity will be taking place in Wales (employment outside Wales is not supported under this grant scheme)
- it is an organisation using volunteers to benefit the community
the proposed project recruits new volunteers - the proposed project will meet the themes of the scheme
your project will begin on 1st April 2017 and finish on 31st March 2018
There is an online application process via the e-tender Wales website and WCVA will be holding briefing events across Wales, along with a webinar available on www.wcva.org.uk.
Volunteering in Wales Grants application window runs from 1 September to 10 November 2016, with activity funded from April 2017 until March 2018.
