Perthyn Grant Scheme for Community-Led Social Enterprise and Housing Development

The Perthyn Grant Scheme provides up to £5,000 in revenue funding to support community-led social enterprises and housing initiatives across Wales where the Welsh language is central. Funded by the Welsh Government, the scheme helps early-stage community groups strengthen Welsh-speaking communities, develop affordable housing, and align local projects with Cymraeg 2050 and the Welsh Language Communities Action Plan.

The Perthyn Grant Scheme supports community groups across Wales that are developing social enterprises or community-led housing initiatives with the Welsh language at the core of their aims and activities.

The scheme is designed to help communities turn early-stage ideas into viable, locally driven projects that strengthen Welsh-speaking communities and support long-term sustainability.

What Is the Perthyn Grant Scheme?

The Perthyn Grant Scheme is a Welsh Government-funded programme that provides small-scale revenue funding to community groups at an early stage of development.

Its purpose is to support planning, exploration, and preparation activities that place the Welsh language at the heart of social, economic, and housing development within local communities.

Key Focus Areas

The Perthyn Grant Scheme prioritises projects that contribute to one or more of the following areas:

Strengthening the Welsh language within local communities
Building community capacity and leadership
Accelerating early-stage community ideas into viable projects
Establishing cooperatives and social enterprises
Developing community-led and affordable housing solutions
Sustaining Welsh-speaking communities over the long term
Creating new physical or social spaces for Welsh language use
Aligning with Cymraeg 2050 and the Welsh Language Communities Action Plan
Responding directly to locally identified community needs

Projects addressing multiple focus areas are strongly encouraged.

Funding Available

Maximum grant amount: Up to £5,000
Funding type: Revenue funding
Purpose: Planning, feasibility, development, and preparation costs

The funding is intended to support early-stage development rather than capital construction or delivery.

Who Is Eligible?

The Perthyn Grant Scheme is open to:

Community groups and community-led organisations across Wales
Newly established groups
Groups that have not previously received Perthyn funding

Applicants must clearly demonstrate that:

The Welsh language is central to the project’s aims and objectives
The project contributes to sustaining Welsh-speaking communities
The initiative is community-led and focused on local benefit

Community-Led Housing Requirements

Community-led housing projects supported by the Perthyn Grant Scheme must:

Be developed and controlled by the local community
Provide affordable housing that remains affordable in perpetuity
Respond to local housing needs, particularly in Welsh-speaking areas
Support the long-term sustainability of Welsh-speaking communities

Priority Communities

Priority is given to projects based in:

Welsh-speaking communities under housing pressure
Areas with high levels of second-home ownership
Communities at risk of losing local identity and Welsh language use

Projects that demonstrate how community-led solutions address these challenges are particularly favoured.

Why It Matters

The Welsh language is central to cultural identity, community cohesion, and local resilience in Wales.

By supporting early-stage community enterprises and housing initiatives, the Perthyn Grant Scheme helps protect Welsh-speaking communities, strengthen local economies, and ensure that development aligns with national language strategies and community needs.

How the Perthyn Grant Scheme Works

Step-by-Step Process

Identify a community need linked to the Welsh language, housing, or local enterprise.
Develop an early-stage idea that places the Welsh language at its core.
Form or confirm a community-led group to lead the initiative.
Define how the project aligns with Cymraeg 2050 and the Welsh Language Communities Action Plan.
Prepare a budget and development plan within the £5,000 funding limit.
Submit an application outlining aims, community benefit, and language impact.
Use the funding to explore, plan, and prepare the project for future delivery.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Treating the Welsh language as a secondary or add-on element
Proposing projects without clear community leadership or control
Applying for capital construction rather than early-stage development
Failing to demonstrate alignment with national Welsh language strategies
Submitting proposals with limited local benefit or engagement

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much funding can I apply for?

Applicants can receive up to £5,000 in revenue funding.

Who can apply for the Perthyn Grant Scheme?

Community groups and community-led organisations based in Wales are eligible.

Is the Welsh language required to be central to the project?

Yes. The Welsh language must be central to the project’s aims, objectives, and outcomes.

Are community-led housing projects eligible?

Yes. Community-led and affordable housing initiatives are a key focus of the scheme.

Can previously funded groups apply again?

Priority is given to groups that have not previously received Perthyn funding.

What types of costs can the grant cover?

The grant supports planning, feasibility, preparation, and development costs, not capital build costs.

Are certain communities prioritised?

Yes. Welsh-speaking communities under housing pressure, including areas with high second-home ownership, receive particular consideration.

Conclusion

The Perthyn Grant Scheme plays a vital role in supporting Welsh-language community development across Wales.

By providing early-stage funding for social enterprises and community-led housing, the scheme empowers local groups to protect Welsh-speaking communities, strengthen local capacity, and create sustainable, language-centred solutions for the future.