Deadline: 31-Oct-2025
The Wales and Africa Grant Scheme is a flagship initiative under the Welsh Government’s Wales and Africa programme.
It provides community groups and organisations in Wales with funding to support small-scale projects that contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, delivering benefits both to Wales and Sub-Saharan Africa. The scheme enables collaboration between communities, fostering learning, solidarity, and action across borders.
Funding is available for projects that align with one of four priority themes. Under Health, grants aim to protect and promote the mental and physical wellbeing of African communities. This may include knowledge and skills sharing between health institutions in Wales and Africa or supporting healthcare professionals in Africa with small-scale training. The Lifelong Learning theme focuses on equipping young people and adults in both Wales and Africa with knowledge and skills, such as supporting disadvantaged children in Africa with their educational needs while also enhancing global citizenship education in Welsh schools, or helping individuals in Africa develop vocational or artistic skills to improve livelihoods.
Projects under the Climate Change and Environment theme support initiatives to reduce environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and help communities adapt to climate impacts on food, water, and safety. Examples include supporting African farmers to adapt to changing climates or engaging communities in Wales on Africa-focused climate challenges. The Sustainable Livelihoods theme encourages community-led economic and social development by promoting fair, inclusive, and sustainable income opportunities. This could include supporting cooperatives that generate benefits for both Wales and Africa or engaging the public in Fair Trade campaigns and advocacy.
Eligible applicants can apply for grants between £5,000 and £25,000 for 12-month projects. To qualify, organisations must be incorporated bodies based in and operating for the benefit of people in Wales. They must have governing documents with appropriate asset lock and dividend distribution controls, demonstrate oversight through a qualified board of at least three directors or trustees, and maintain relevant policies such as safeguarding. The lead applicant must be based in Wales, and all activities must show clear benefits to Wales while aligning with one or more of the four themes. Applicants with prior funding experience should demonstrate the impact of their past work and lessons learned. While individuals cannot apply directly, they may do so through a host organisation, with all funding agreements held with the organisation. Additionally, purchases made with grant funding must consider ethical and Fair Trade principles.
This scheme represents a unique opportunity for Welsh organisations to strengthen global partnerships, advance sustainable development, and create meaningful change for communities in both Wales and Africa.
For more information, visit WCVA.