All Wales

All projects funded by the European Structural and Investment funds operate within a national and regional policy context that influences where and how the funds are allocated and spent. Of course, there are many Welsh Government policies and initiative which would be relevant but those with the largest impact on funding are:

  • Economic Prioritisation Framework (EPF)
  • Employability Delivery Plan
  • Wellbeing of Future Generations Act
  • Agriculture
  • Taking Wales Forward
  • Prosperity for All

You can find more information below and on the Welsh Government website.

Economic Prioritisation Framework (EPF)

Following the key recommendation of the Guildford Report, the independent review of the arrangements for the 2014 – 2020 ESI programmes, the EPF was developed to help guide the use of EU funds. It includes a summary of the different investments being made across Wales to ensure that European Funded operations are developed in the correct funding and policy context.

WEFO view and appraise applications in the context of a range of documents that include both the Programme for ERDF and ESF and the EPF. They want to ensure that lead partners have understood that their plans sit in context with a wider picture of investment in Wales and the EPF will be their guidance.

Applicants for funding from WEFO are expected to demonstrate how they will add value to what is already happening or planned in Wales and the EPF will be the reference point. It will help them to plan their projects to avoid duplication, identify partners and networks and refine their delivery plans.

There is a regional element to the EPF which sets out the key drivers and opportunities across the four regions in Wales. The section related to South East Wales will be vital for operations looking to deliver in the region.

Employability delivery plan

The Welsh Government is committed to improve the employability support that is available to the people of Wales. To achieve this they are developing an Employability Delivery Plan. At the moment the plan is still at an early stage. This section of the website will be updated in due course but, in the meantime, for more information on the proposals please visit the Welsh Government website.

Wellbeing of Future Generations Act

The Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (WFGA) requires public bodies in Wales to think about the long-term impact of their decisions, to work better with people, communities and each other, and to prevent persistent problems such as poverty, health inequalities and climate change.

The WFGA has seven Well-Being Goals that provide a shared vision for public bodies to work towards:

  • A Prosperous Wales
  • A Resilient Wales
  • A More Equal Wales
  • A Healthier Wales
  • A Wales of Cohesive Communities
  • A Wales of Vibrant Culture and Welsh Language
  • A Globally Responsible Wales

For more information please visit the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales website.

Taking Wales Forward: The Programme for Government 2016-2021

Taking Wales Forward sets out how the Government intends to deliver more and better jobs through a stronger, fairer economy, improve and reform our public services, and build a united, connected and sustainable Wales.

Actions are grouped into four priority areas:

  • Prosperous and secure
  • Healthy and active
  • Ambitious and learning
  • United and connected

Prosperity for All: The National Strategy

This strategy takes the key commitments of Taking Wales Forward and places them in a long-term context, setting out how they will fit with the work of the wider Welsh public service to lay the foundations for achieving prosperity for all.

Priority areas – those which will have the greatest potential contribution to long-term prosperity and well-being:

  • Early Years
  • Housing
  • Social Care
  • Mental Health
  • Skills and Employability

The strategy can be found on the Welsh Government website.

Agricultural Policy in Wales

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in Wales supports farmers, the countryside and rural communities. These activities encourage the sustainable management of agriculture and the environment.  There are four key areas covered by the policy:

  • agriculture
  • forestry, environment and countryside
  • supply chain for agriculture and forestry
  • quality of life in rural areas

The CAP is divided into two parts known as ‘Pillars’.

Pillar 1

Pillar 1 provides direct payments to farmers and will run from 2015 – 2020. The direct income support for farmers allows them to:

  • manage their land in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner
  • maintain animal welfare standards to make farms more resilient in the long term

Pillar 2

Pillar 2 delivers the Wales Rural Development Programme which gives the Welsh Government the opportunity to support rural communities and businesses, and to ensure that natural resources are used sustainably.

The Rural Development Programme focuses on:

  • competitiveness (on-farm and through the supply chain)
  • the environment (agri-environmental work, woodland, renewable energy)
  • community (access to service and the LEADER approach). There are 6 rural Local Actions Groups (LAG) in South East Wales and links to their website can be found here along with further information about rural funding.

The Wales Rural Network is a useful reference point for news, events and information about rural development. The unit helps to make connections with other people, communities, organisations and businesses across rural Wales and beyond.

Organisations interested in rural funding steams may find it helpful to register for the GWLAD newsletter which is the Welsh Government’s e-newsletter for those interested in forestry and agriculture in Wales.