Community groups across Wales can now make an application for grants to improve or develop local facilities. The Community Facilities Programme provides support of up to £25,000 to voluntary and community organisations to make improvements to buildings or buy equipment that would be useful to local people. According to the Welsh Government the aim of the programme is create fairer opportunities, strengthen local networks and create community spaces where people can come together.
The programme has funded 500 projects since 2015, with over £70 million invested in buildings and equipment across Wales. Parc yr Esgob in Abergwili, Carmarthenshire received £300,000 to renovate a walled garden on the site. The work will include building new greenhouses, one of which will act as a multipurpose space for community events and activities including healthy cooking sessions using produce from the garden.
In a statement Louise Austin, Tywi Gateway Trust Project Manager, said:
“Restoring the walled garden at Parc yr Esgob isn’t just about preserving heritage – it’s about drawing inspiration from the past to create a new, community focused and sustainable place. With support from the Welsh Government’s Community Facilities Programme, we’re bringing this historic space back to life to grow food, share skills, and connect with nature and one another. We’re deeply grateful for the funding helping turn a forgotten corner of our past into a thriving part of our future.”
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt said:
“Parc yr Esgob is a brilliant example of what can happen when a community comes together to reimagine a local space. The project reflects local pride, need and ambition – turning a forgotten space into a welcoming place for everyone.
Our investment isn’t just about buildings; it’s about the people who use them. We know how important it is to have spaces close to home where people can take part in activities, get support and feel part of something. That’s why we’re backing community-led ideas like this – creative, practical and rooted in place.”
You can learn more about the Parc yr Esgob restoration project by following this link to a video on YouTube.
Applications for grants of up to £25,000 are already pen, with a fund offering grants of up to £300,000 opening on Wednesday 1 October 2025. To find out more information about how to make an application, follow this link to the Welsh Government’s website
