welsh national grants

This section covers Welsh national grants, but you should also look at the section of nationwide grants for small businesses and also regional grants for Wales.

reclamation of derelict land
Grant to help with the reclamation of derelict land for businesses in Wale: 80% of (Enhanced value of the land, less the costs of reclamation).

This is "land so damaged by past industrial or other development that it is incapable of beneficial use without treatment". The landsite must have had some type of previous development, which has now ceased. But it must need clearing or reclaiming before any further development or use can take place.

The following types of expenditure may be approved:

• The cost of reclamation works necessary to bring the site to a green-field state;
• Approved costs incurred in carrying out a survey of derelict land but only where a project of reclamation follows;
• Consultants´ fees and legal expenses incurred carrying out the works, and fees of a qualified auditor for providing certification as required.

Grant is not payable for the costs of:

• Land acquisition;
• Clearance undertaken in connection with redevelopment as part of a programme of urban renewal;
• Reclamation of dereliction of natural origin or other land which has never previously been developed;
• Reclamation of mineral workings or other spoil heaps which are covered by enforceable restoration conditions or other arrangements providing for rehabilitation;
• Development works;
• Maintenance works;
• Works on land in active use;
• Profitable reclamation.

The size of grant is based on land/works values and is limited by the amount of funding in budget. The grant is 80% of the net loss of the applicant i.e. after deduction of the enhanced value of the land after the reclamation has been completed.

More Info: Welsh Development Agency

processing and marketing grant scheme
Up to 40% of project costs for support for agriculture and food processing.

Aims to help processors and farmers in Wales become more competitive, by providing capital grant support for processing facilities and revenue grant support to improve or rationalize marketing channels. There are two main schemes based on the size of investment:

• PMG for larger investments (generally over £40,000 project spend);
• PMSG for smaller investments.

In Objective 1 areas, the PMG and PMSG schemes are available to farmers and SMEs. In non-Objective 1 area, the PMSG is restricted to farmers only. Different grant rates and financial thresholds apply in Objective 1 and non-Objective 1 area.

The grant is open to applications from a wide range of organizations involved in agricultural production, processing, and marketing including:

• Sole traders;
• Voluntary organisations;
• Private and public limited companies;
• Groups of producers who market their produce collaboratively;
• Individual producers who want to process and market their own produce.

The total maximum grant will be £1.2m. In Objective 1 areas, the grant rate will be up to 40% of eligible project costs. Outside Objective 1 areas, the grant rate will be up to 30% of eligible project costs.

Applicants must show that the project would not proceed without grant aid.

More Info WDA Food Directorate

tir mynydd scheme
Support for farming in the Less Favoured Areas in Wales.

Tir Mynydd replaced the HLCA Scheme and is an area based payment for those farming in the Less Favoured Areas (LFA) of Wales. The scheme aims to contribute to the maintenance of the social fabric in upland rural communities, through support for continued agricultural land use and help preserve the farmed upland environment by ensuring that land in the Less Favoured Areas (LFAs) is managed in a sustainable way.

Tir Mynydd consists of two elements:

• Element 1 comprises of LFA land area payments with; Payment Rates of £35.00/ha for Severely Disadvantaged Land and £23.00/ha for Disadvantaged Land.
• Element 2 provides for payment enhancements for confirmed environmental practice. Element 2 provides for increase of up to 10% for one enhancement and if there are two, an increase of up to 20%. Element 2 payments are limited to a maximum of two enhancements.

The Tir Mynydd Scheme operates in the Less Favoured Areas of Wales (LFA) - which covers all Unitary Authorities except the Vale of Glamorgan. To be eligible for Tir Mynydd, producers must meet all the criteria below:

• Have submitted an IACS Area Aid Application;
• Have a minimum of 6 hectares of eligible LFA forage land;
• Keep breeding sheep and/or sucker cows;
• Stock at least a minimum of 0.10 livestock units per hectare (LU/ha), or less if there is an agreement that restricts stocking density below this level;
• Follow good farming practice including the avoidance of overgrazing, under grazing and unsuitable supplementary feeding practices;
• Undertake to keep LFA land in agricultural production for 5 years from the first payment date of LFA support.

More Info: National Assembly for Wales

presentation & audience development
Support for production and touring of Art forms. Up to £50,000. Help available for professional and Voluntary organisations operating in Wales (e.g., arts centres, galleries, theatres, festivals, music and art societies, film clubs and community organisations).

Aims to support the presentation of a wide range of arts events that also increase the number and range of people attending arts events in Wales.

The scheme includes all traditional and emerging art forms and interdisciplinary activities, including film exhibition, in all sectors whether professional or voluntary.
The scheme will support:

• single events, festivals and year round programmes;
• cross-border and international touring into;
• guarantees against loss, where appropriate;
• touring of work originated or produced in Wales (where production costs are not required).

More Info: Arts Council of Wales

production & audience development
Between £5,000 and £50,000 support for production and touring of the Arts for professional Arts organisations in Wales.

The aims of this scheme are to increase the range of work produced in Wales for touring, which also increases the number or range of people attending arts events.

The scheme includes all traditional, new and emerging art forms and interdisciplinary activities, and is primarily aimed at the professional sectors. The scheme will support:

• performance, installation, music publishing and recording, exhibitions, visual arts and craft production and new media;
• the commissioning of work for publication, exhibition or performance in Wales;
• new creative initiatives for established, new and emerging artists and arts organisations in Wales.

More info: Arts Council of Wales

cinema exhibition and education grant aid
Up to £1,000 grants to organisations in the media industry across Wales.

Sgrin offers awards of up to £1,000 through the Cinema Exhibition Support Fund to cinema exhibition venues and individuals for film education projects and special programmes and joint touring packages. Venues and professionals may apply at any time. The department also offers larger annual awards to Welsh organisations or projects that support the exhibition of film.

More Info Sgrin: Cultural Development Department

post office development fund
Up to £50,000 per application to develop post office branches in deprived areas of Wales. The fund aims to maintain and develop a viable post office network throughout Wales.

The fund is primarily aimed at providing capital resources. However, consideration will also be given to fees and other costs associated with capital expenditure. The maximum grant that can be awarded to sub - postmasters is £50,000.

More Info: Welsh Assembly

business premises improvement grant
Various grants (Brig’s) to businesses to improve or adapt business premises.

Projects will be assessed to determine their contribution to the aims of the WDA in ensuring that there is an adequate supply of suitable premises in which businesses can establish themselves. Any assistance offered by the WDA is discretionary, there is no automatic entitlement to any funding assistance and where WDA support is offered this will be limited to the minimum necessary to ensure that the project proceeds.

Applicants must demonstrate that the works are necessary. An initial appraisal of the project will indicate whether or not it broadly fits the criteria for BPIG support. The grant will be paid at the agreed rate of award against the receipted invoices for the incurred expenditure, normally as a single payment on completion of the scheme.

More Info: Welsh Development Agency

business premises grant
Private and public sector developers can apply for 50% of the costs of development (or the difference between the costs and the market value after development whichever is less). The grant is to support property development projects that create employment opportunities. Bogs are available to both private and public sector developers and potential owner-occupiers of commercial premises. Support is discretionary. After an initial appraisal of the project successful at the initial stage, a detailed application will be invited which must include a full development appraisal together with confirmation that planning permission has been secured for the project. The WDA will then evaluate the application and determine whether to award a grant and the level of funding.

More Info: Welsh Development Agency

town improvement grant
The Welsh Development offers assistance to organisations throughout Wales for environment improvement projects. Town Improvement Grants are directed towards urban renewal projects supported by the Welsh Development Agency’s Area Development Department and supported by the relevant local authority in order to concentrate resources in areas of need and opportunity. Also to improve the quality of projects in those areas. The scheme is intended to generate as much investment in regeneration as possible with grants being offered on the basis of the minimum necessary to bring the project forward. The award of any grant is at the sole discretion of the WDA and the amount awarded will be the minimum necessary to facilitate the scheme and achieve the required quality.

More Info: Welsh Development Agency

work-life balance challenge fund
Funds to encourage businesses across Wales to promote the principles of Work/Life balance.

Grant levels are negotiable. The Work-Life Balance campaign promotes the belief that people work most effectively when they can achieve a balance between work responsibilities and their personal lives. By achieving this balance, businesses will have a happier and more productive workforce, which will play a key role in the organisations success.

The fund has been set up to encourage companies to take ownership of the principles outlined above, and think of new and innovative ideas that will promote work-life balance employment practices within their specific company. Proposals should be innovative. Previous support has ranged from crèches and computers to massage and aromatherapy sessions.

More Info: Welsh Development Agency

implementation grant
50% of costs up to £10,000 to fund a wide variety of projects to help ensure the growth of existing suppliers of environmental goods and services. Various projects can be considered but there are some exclusions (e.g. buildings, compliance with environmental legislation, routine replacement/upgrading of office equipment, reprinting of brochures, etc). The grant is claimed retrospectively on the basis of invoiced costs.

Welsh businesses involved in products, systems and services within any of the following are eligible for assistance:

• Air pollution control;
• Contaminated land remediation;
• Energy management (energy efficiency or renewables);
• Environmental instrumentation, monitoring and analysis;
• Environmental consultancy;
• Landscape industries;
• Marine pollution control;
• Noise and vibration control;
• Waste management, including recycling;
• Water supply/treatment and waste water treatment.

More Info: Welsh Development Agency

specialist advice grant
Grants to help businesses with the cost of specialist advice are available initial grant of up to 100% of costs (maximum £1,500). Additional grant of 50% is available (maximum of £1,500).

A wide range of expertise will be considered eligible and can include either one-off assignments (feasibility studies, reports, designs etc.) or regular and occasional input over a period of time. The latter could cover, for example, marketing, IT, finance, management systems or development of joint ventures.

The aim is to help ensure the growth of suppliers of environmental goods and services and promote the establishment and growth of new suppliers in the sector. To encourage take-up, the first £1,500 of costs can be funded at 100%. The applicant recruits the specialist/consultant, although the WDA has the final say on suitability. After the first £1,500, additional costs up to a maximum of £3,000 can be subsidised at 50% (i.e. a further grant of up to £1,500). The project can last up to twelve months and quarterly grant claims are acceptable. The grant is claimed retrospectively on the basis of invoiced costs.

Welsh businesses involved in products, systems and services within any of the following are eligible for assistance:

• Air pollution control;
• Contaminated land remediation;
• Energy management (energy efficiency or renewables);
• Environmental instrumentation, monitoring and analysis;
• Environmental consultancy;
• Landscape industries;
• Marine pollution control;
• Noise and vibration control;
• Waste management, including recycling;
• Water supply/treatment and waste water treatment.

More Info: Welsh Development Agency

opportunity wales
Small and medium-sized businesses within the Objective One area of Wales can get free eCommerce review and assistance; up to £1750 of subsidised implementation support; subsidised consultancy.

Opportunity Wales offers a wide variety of services to all SMEs in Objective One areas of Wales. Personal advisers are able to visit each business to provide a free, tailor-made eCommerce review, followed up by additional low-cost, high-value consultancy service. It also offers a subsidised implementation support, should a business wish to purchase products and services identified through the eCommerce review. Businesses can demonstrate best practice, share success and get support. There are also workshops and seminars, as well as the Opportunity Wales Web site, which allows SMEs to access and interact with a wealth of information and resources written and produced by professionals in the SME sector.

More Info: Opportunity Wales

enterprise development funding grants for business development
50% of project costs, up to a maximum of £7,500.

This grant scheme helps businesses in their development. Each grant application is judged on its own merit and will be discretionary. The maximum grant available is £7,500 or 50% of the project costs, whichever is lower. Projects that are eligible are:

• Research;
• Training;
• Innovation;
• Feasibility studies;
• Diversification;
• Retailer initiatives;
• Start up support;
• PR/Marketing.

More Info: Welsh Development Agency

regional selective assistance wales
Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) is a national grant scheme, aimed at encouraging investment and job creation in certain areas of Wales. All organizations in the assisted areas in Wales (Tier 1 and Tier 2). Grant size will depend on the needs of the project and the impact the project will have on the economy.

Regional Selective Assistance is available to help businesses of all sizes with investment projects in most sectors of industry and commerce. The businesses should be located in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Area. Grants are negotiable and are made in order for a company to carry out an investment project within the Assisted Area. Qualifying projects are generally purchase of fixed assets, including opening of a new plant, modernising or adding new facilities to existing plants.

Eligible project costs can include:

• Plant and machinery;
• Some associated one-off costs such as patent rights and professional fees;
• Associated land, site preparation and buildings.
  The amount of grant awarded will depend on the area, the needs of the project, the number of jobs safeguarded or created, and the impact the project will have on the economy. Each application is individually assessed, and should demonstrate that the project would not go ahead without the grant assistance. Projects must be commercially viable, safeguard employment, and offer a direct regional benefit.

Contact the Economic Development Department of the National Assembly for Wales for further details.

More Info: National Assembly for Wales

environmental goods and services programme
Grants for companies in the environmental goods and services industry up to 50% of costs up to £10,000.

This joint NAW/ WDA run programme helps Wales-based companies involved, or planning to get involved, in the growing market for environmental l goods and services. Includes

• Free visit to discuss plans and business needs;
• Specialist Advice Grant and Implementation Grants;
• Advice and information;
• Networking and supply chain opportunities.

More Info: Welsh Development Agency

professional development
Support for training in the Arts Between £250 and £40,000. The aims of the scheme are to support provision of all artistic, creative, technical, business, marketing and managerial training in the arts in Wales, and to support individuals or organisations wishing to undertake or purchase training within Wales, the UK or abroad.

The specific scheme priorities are:

• individual artists wishing to develop their artistic practice;
• training provision in the Welsh language;
• training the trainers programmes;
• training opportunities for artists and arts workers from a minority ethnic background;
• training opportunities for those working with young people and children;
• training opportunities for those working in participatory arts activities;
• training opportunities which strengthen the arts infrastructure in Wales e.g. business and management skills.

More Info: Arts Council of Wales

ICT training
Free ICT Training support. SMEs in all industry sectors. Presently the qualifying areas are City and County of Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Carmarthen, Pembroke, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Caerphilly, City and County of Cardiff.

Computraid has a range of ICT courses that can assist company growth. The 25 day programme for SMEs supported by ELWa and the European Social Fund offers extensive FREE training in all of the popular Microsoft Office packages plus internet and web page design sessions.

These courses are designed for SMEs to attend one-day-per-week. Topics include Introduction to the Personal Computer, Windows, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases and Presentation Graphics. Course delegates are encouraged to achieve the internationally recognised European Computer Driving Licence qualification.
Course run at locations in Swansea, Llandarcy and Cardiff.

More Info: Computeraid

sustainability fund
Support for mining operators for environmental clean up projects – up to a total of £1.7 million per year. Projects will be individually assessed.

The Sustainability Fund will support projects that will help mitigate the effects of aggregate extraction in or near sites, either through addressing local environmental concerns in areas of current and past aggregates extraction, or through minimising the need for new materials to be transported.

More Info: National Assembly for Wales

town improvement grant
Grants for urban renewal projects throughout Wales.

The Welsh Development offers assistance to organisations throughout Wales for environment improvement projects. Town Improvement Grants are directed towards urban renewal projects supported by the Welsh Development Agency’s Area Development Department and supported by the relevant local authority in order to concentrate resources in areas of need and opportunity. And to improve the quality of projects in those areas. The scheme is intended to generate as much investment in regeneration as possible with grants being offered on the basis of the minimum necessary to bring the project forward. The award of any grant is at the sole discretion of the WDA and the amount awarded will be the minimum necessary to facilitate the scheme and achieve the required quality.

More Info: Welsh Development Agency

reclamation of derelict land
80% of (Enhanced value of the land, less the costs of reclamation).

Derelict land is defined here as "land so damaged by past industrial or other development that it is incapable of beneficial use without treatment". The landsite must have had some type of previous development, which has now ceased. But it must need clearing or reclaiming before any further development or use can take place.

The following types of expenditure may be approved:

• The cost of reclamation works necessary to bring the site to a greenfield state;
• Approved costs incurred in carrying out a survey of derelict land but only where a project of reclamation follows;
• Consultants´ fees and legal expenses incurred carrying out the works, and fees of a qualified auditor for providing certification as required.

Grant is not payable for the costs of:

• Land acquisition;
• Clearance undertaken in connection with redevelopment as part of a programme of urban renewal;
• Reclamation of dereliction of natural origin or other land which has never previously been developed;
• Reclamation of mineral workings or other spoil heaps which are covered by enforceable restoration conditions or other arrangements providing for rehabilitation;
• Development works;
• Maintenance works;
• Works on land in active use;
• Profitable reclamation.

The size of grant is based on land/works values and is limited by the amount of funding in budget. The grant is 80% of the net loss of the applicant i.e. after deduction of the enhanced value of the land after the reclamation has been completed.

More Info: Welsh Development Agency

the welsh language board small grants scheme
Grants to help produce bilingual material - 50% of costs, to a maximum of £300. (20%, up to £100 for signs).

The Welsh Language Board’s Small Grants Scheme gives financial support to organisations in the private and voluntary sectors wishing to produce bilingual material. Grants are awarded to produce booklets, leaflets, packaging, posters, signs and websites.

The Board may contribute up to 50% of eligible costs but cannot award an individual grant of more than £300. In the case of signs the maximum is 20% up to £100.
More Info The Welsh Language Board

grants for capital funding in the tourism industry
Up to 25% of costs to a maximum of £300,000. Accommodation providers, tourist attractions, activity centres, restaurants, caravan sites etc can apply.

Grants are available for capital expenditure incurred in creating or upgrading facilities to be used by tourists. Eligible costs include building works, fixtures and fittings, landscaping and professional fees. General running costs such as repairs, maintenance, marketing and wages are not eligible.

More Info: Welsh Tourist Board

business tourism grant
Support to develop facilities for business tourism – up to 50% of project costs up to £50,000 maximum.

Hotels, etc. which provide facilities for the business traveller. This scheme will help the tourism industry develop facilities that will secure additional business meetings and create an environment that suits the requirements of the independent business traveller.

The Welsh Tourist Board will provide an integrated package of assistance to businesses that are interested in working to further develop this business sector. This package will include:

• Provision of specialised business travel marketing workshops;
• Provision of specialised business travel customer care training programme;
• Provision of training and the opportunity to participate in WTB's developing business conference web page.

The types of capital works that will be eligible for assistance are:

• Upgrading of bedroom accommodation to a ´business class´ standard to include IT access points, good quality fixtures and fittings (Fast Text, television, fax, computer modems, voicemail, etc) and en-suite facilities;
• Upgrading or provision of quality seminar/meeting rooms including the provision of quality presentation equipment and aids;
• Upgrading of reception area with particular attention to IT telephone, switchboard, etc;
• Upgrading and/or provision of secure car parking.

The maximum percentage grant that can be awarded varies according to geographic location of the project and the size of the business applying for the grant. Maximum grant level range from 7.5% of eligible project cost for a medium sized business in, for example central Cardiff, to 50% of eligible project cost in the West Wales and the Valleys EU Objective 1 area. In addition assistance will be related to job creation or safeguarding.

Applicants will need to demonstrate that a significant proportion of bedrooms will meet a ´business class´ standard and a minimum of WTB 3 star standard. The minimum capital spend should be £40,000.

More Info: Wales Tourist Board

general investment support scheme grants
Up to £300,000. Tourism businesses (hotels, self catering apartments/cottages, restaurants, caravan and camping parks, attractions and activity centres) across Wales are eligible for assistance. Minimum cost of a project should be £10,000.

The Wales Tourist Board supports capital investment projects, in conjunction with specially designed business consultancy packages, technical assistance and advice on environmental best practice.

The Wales Tourist Board support projects, which:

• Extend and/or safeguard the tourist season;
• Provide quality employment opportunities;
• Provide competitive advantage for Welsh tourism;
• Demonstrate quality in design and specification;
• Exhibit sound marketing potential and are backed by business and marketing plans;
• Possess a management team that has a commitment to dynamic business management and training;
• Support Welsh culture, enhance the environment and improve facilities for the disabled visitor

Applicants need to demonstrate a new tourist demand for the project and that existing business will not simply be displaced. All projects will need to demonstrate viability.
Eligible costs include building costs, fixtures and fittings, professional fees and landscaping. Working capital, maintenance or other items of ongoing revenue expenditure are not eligible expenditure.

The types of project that can be considered for support include:

• Upgrading and provision of new tourism accommodation and associated facilities;
• Improvements to visitor attractions and the development of new attractions;
• Upgrading and provision of new restaurants which can demonstrate significant tourism usage;
• Interpretation improvements in signage and multilingual facilities.

The maximum percentage grant that can be awarded varies according to geographic location of the project and the size of the business applying for the grant. Maximum grant level range from 7.5% of eligible project cost for a medium sized business in, for example central Cardiff, to 50% of eligible project cost in the West Wales and the Valleys. Assistance will be related to job creation or safeguarding.

More Info: Welsh Tourist Board