The £11 million programme ARFOR, which aims to deliver an economic boost and strengthen the Welsh language across Anglesey, Gwynedd, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, is now inviting applications to its Enterprising Communities Fund. The second phase of this pioneering Programme comes as part of the Cooperation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.

Following on from the success of its first phase, the programme is now open to tenders for the enterprising communities work stream. This presents an opportunity for companies, social enterprises and cooperative enterprises to apply for funding up until March 2025, to support communities that are Welsh language strongholds to thrive economically and in turn reinforce the language. 

ARFOR’s Enterprising Communities Fund is multifaceted; firstly, it encourages the creation of a variety of jobs in order for young people and families to be able to work in their indigenous communities. In doing so it responds to the possible risk of losing essential local assets and services from these communities. The fund also calls on social and commercial enterprises to make more use of the Welsh language, which will not only add value to their products or services but will also maintain the local Welsh identity of ARFOR’s communities.

The programme welcomes applicants from all four counties and hopes to see creative and ambitious plans that will lead to brand new Welsh businesses, protecting or creating more local jobs, and in turn establish more Welsh language spaces within the communities. The plans should focus on the unique qualities of each community, including the Welsh language, and aim to circulate money within the area to increase the amount of wealth that stays local.

Since its launch in 2019 the ARFOR Programme has created 238 full-time equivalent jobs, created 89 part-time jobs, and provided support to over 150 businesses. One such business is Bragdy Cybi.

Bethan Jones from Bragdy Cybi said: "The contribution we received through ARFOR was invaluable to a small, new business like ours. It’s enabled us to expand during a worrying time and make the most of the bilingual nature of our business. It’s a great opportunity for local businesses to develop in a time when we’re all having to watch the pennies."

Councilor Llinos Medi, leader and economic development portfolio holder of Isle of Anglesey County Council said: "Welsh speaking communities face a number of challenges, including economic ones. I'm very pleased that we can offer support to suitable enterprise plans from the private and community sector. These will help to strengthen our economy, enable young people and families to live in their communities, and support the use of the Welsh language in businesses and our day-to-day lives."

Economy minister, Vaughan Gething, said: "It’s excellent news that the work on ARFOR is continuing and that the programme is now inviting applications to its Enterprising Communities Fund. By working with our local authority partners, we want to support communities that are strongholds of the Welsh language to flourish through economic interventions and contribute to increasing opportunities to see and use the Welsh language on a daily basis. We look forward to seeing some really innovative ideas as part of the second phase of the programme."

Designated member Cefin Campbell said: "I welcome progress on the practical delivery of the Arfor Programme as part of the cooperation agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh government. I encourage companies and organisations from across the Arfor counties to get involved and check out the Enterprising Communities Fund. The fund will help boost entrepreneurship and business growth and is part of our drive to grow the local economy and the Welsh language together."

The second phase of the programme will run until March 2025 alongside four other work streams:

• Succeed Locally
• ARFOR Challenge Fund
• Strengthening the identity of ARFOR communities
• Monitoring, evaluating and learning work

For more information about the ARFOR Programme visit rhaglenarfor.cymru or email gwybodaeth@rhaglenarfor.cymru

Ends 28 March 2023

Notes to editors

ARFOR’s strategic aims and work stream