What is Environment Wales?

Environment Wales is a partnership of organisations in the voluntary sector, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.  The initiative aim is to contribute to sustainable development by supporting and encouraging voluntary action to protect and improve the environment of Wales.

Environment Wales has four objectives:

• To achieve sustainable improvements to the Welsh environment through practical projects;
• To increase understanding of sustainable development and the environment through information, education and advisory services;
• To help create new environmental initiatives which also allow communities and voluntary organisations to contribute to their social and economic needs; and
• To support and train staff and volunteers engaged in these activities.

What is on offer?

Groups with projects registered with Environment Wales benefit from advice and support through the Development Officer team, they can also benefit from grants offered by Environment Wales:

• Start Up grants helping to cover the costs involved with establishing new voluntary or community groups. Initially this is the first steps and can cover legal costs for constitutions and room hire
• Project grants can help provide project materials. This is the main grant available and can include tools, materials and volunteers' expenses.
• Management grants support the costs of project staff. This is a 6 year grant programme with the aim to establish a self sustaining post within the group.
• Preproject grants help with the start-up costs of new groups, training of staff and volunteers and the costs of pre-project studies e.g. feasibility studies, community consultations, etc.
• Training grants that support the training needs of the group.

Geraint Hughes is the Eco Centre Wales’s Development Officer for Environment Wales. The Development Officer works to provide support and advice to community and voluntary groups. Projects supported by Environment Wales are allocated a dedicated Development Officer who remains a constant point of contact and helps the groups through each stage of the Environment Wales process.

 For further information, click here www.environment-wales.org