Date 19/03/08

Organisation Name:  Time Banking Wales

Project Description: Time Network - This is a tried and tested product for community regeneration developed in partnership with local communities. It introduces a socio-economic currency providing lasting benefits to some of the most deprived wards in Wales.

Time Networks work on the simple premise of mutuality, for every hour people give to the Network they are entitled to one hour in exchange. Time Networks place value on community action, active citizenship and build social networks. They are socially inclusive - membership is open to all regardless of age, disability, gender, language, race or religion – building active communities of purpose. They are the new social infrastructures of the 21st century, incorporating public agencies, community groups and citizens. Time Networks open doors of opportunity helping people realise that by working together they can achieve great things. People acquire time credits by participating in the production of public services that benefit the community. Time credits are used to access a range of cultural, educational and social activities. Evidence to date indicates they are capable of generating tens of thousands of new hours of active citizenship within communities. To the best of our knowledge no other regeneration programme in the whole of the U.K is within touching distance of these outcomes and achievements.

The construction of an over arching Time Network builds a community that:
·     Tackles economic inactivity and worklessness
·     Is socially inclusive, participative and empowering
·     Encourages active learning
·     Builds social enterprises
·     Raises the status and enhances the image of citizenship
·     Accredits the work that people do in communities
·     Encourages more effective involvement of citizens
·     Reactivates skills and abilities
·     Improves the organisation and infrastructure for community cohesion
·     Offers equality of opportunity
·     Is committed to sustainable community development

For evaluation purposes all outcomes are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timed.

Email Address: geoff@valleyskids.org

Geographical Area of Operation: Wales wide

Organisation Core Business:  Socio-Economic Regeneration and Sustainable Development

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Time Banking Wales, Third Sector Partners and organisations.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Communities that offer accommodation to socio-economic growth

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: All Convergence and Competitiveness areas.

What might the outputs(activity measures Increase in social enterprises. New learning groups created.
Increase in local wealth. Increase in active citizenship. Increase in new skills acquired.

What might be the results of the project: Strengthening and empowering communities. Enhancing learning opportunities. Supporting and accelerating social enterprises. Making communities more attractive places to live and work.

What would its impact be Increased socio-economic activity

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Applicable in Communities First areas, Development Trusts and Community Anchor Organisations in the Third Sector.

Estimated Cost: £200,000 per project.  3 years to sustainability.

Where might the match funding come from: Big Lottery, Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

Date 11/03/08

Organisation Name:  Welsh Music Foundation

Project Description: WMF has worked successfully with the UK Live Music Forum to develop a rehearsal room in Wrexham. This award winning facility for youth development caters for over 250 people a month. The model has been adopted by DCMS for it pilot scheme to create a network of ‘sustainable community rehearsal spaces’. WMF has worked with the English based Youth Music to try and establish a similar rehearsal room in Merthyr Tydfil. WMF has also had enquiries from other local authorities including Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Carmarthenshire. Others such as Anglesey would be explored.

The project would set up a network of rehearsal rooms based on the Wrexham model in 5 additional local authority areas designated as Community First priorities. The project would identify and utilise existing buildings which have fallen into disuse and refurbish and equip them with appropriate technical resources and provide a youth worker/manager to run and supervise the rehearsal room over the five years. Each Rehearsal Room would set up a youth management group to help bands utilising the centre to obtain performance opportunities locally thus increasing use of other venues, generating income for the bands. The facilities would be marketed throughout local colleges, universities, libraries, schools, community centres and music stores.

The Rehearsal Room Network will be closely linked to the delivery of a Music Management & Leadership Skills Course (WMF Project idea submitted to ESF Convergence Priority 2 Theme 2: Skills for the knowledge economy; higher level skills and systems for workforce development) and 14-19 Music Industry ‘Learning Pathway’ (WMF Project idea submitted to ESF Priority 1:
Supplying young people with skills for learning and future employment).

The Rehearsal Rooms would be networked to create a business to business network of creative skills which could extend beyond the confines of traditionally recognised ‘creative industries’. NESTA research suggests that firms with stronger business to business links with creative industries are more innovative and that creative individuals benefit the economy as a whole.

The network would be linked with other WMF projects which include the development of a circuit of live music venues across Wales, the encouragement of increased numbers of music events, concerts and festivals, promotion of Welsh music industry and infrastructure nationally and internationally through the WMF website to promoters and investors.

Email Address: andy@welshmusicfoundation.com

Geographical Area of Operation: All Wales

Organisation Core Business: Welsh Music Foundation is a not for profit enterprise core funded by Welsh Assembly Government Creative Business Wales. WMF provides specialist support to music businesses and by advising policy makers and representative bodies, and helps create the right long term environment and appropriate infrastructure within which the music industry of Wales can thrive. WMF is the primary information provider to the industry dealing with enquiries from Welsh music enterprises and also signposting companies to other relevant organisations. The organisation currently has over 220 stakeholder members in music and associated industries across Wales.

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Welsh Music Foundation; Creative Business Wales; Local authority regeneration teams and Children and Young Peoples Partnership Frameworks; WAG Communities First Directorate; Youth Music; NESTA;

Who will be the end beneficiaries: The whole of the community with specifically 250 + young people in each area drawn from those not in employment or training with focus on those from excluded groups, young offenders, black and ethnic minorities and women. The music/media industries are traditionally multicultural and the participation of all ethnic minorities is actively encouraged. More women will be encouraged to enter a traditionally male dominated sector.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: WMF has identified potential for rehearsal space in North West Wales (Anglesey), Aberystwyth; Swansea and the Valleys ( 2 ). The project will therefore be pan Wales and respond to the needs of the Spatial Plan areas (North West, North East, South East, Swansea Bay and Pembrokeshire).

What might the outputs(activity measures Based on existing usage an estimated 250+ young people in each area would be engaged and supported each year. (Current take up is 200 individual ‘bookings’ per month).

What might be the results of the project: Based on previous experience it has been estimated that 30-40 new bands in each area may require rehearsal space. Given the facility it is expected that 10% of bands supported could become successful enough to support themselves, becoming SMEs.  Community residents would gain skills in management, marketing, promotion, budgeting, dj-ing and event management.

What would its impact be To be sustainable the music industry in Wales needs to retain those entering the music industry and make sure their businesses grow. The music business provides opportunities for many excluded from the mainstream especially those who have no formal qualifications. Creating a network of rehearsal spaces which can provide entry level skills and confidence building will contribute to the Welsh Assembly Government poverty and community regeneration programmes, and encourage diversity in the workforce.  Potential reduction in those currently NEET.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: An estimated 5,000 sq feet of unused space brought into productive use through creative rehearsal spaces across Wales

Estimated Cost: Over 5 years:

Network Management: 125,000

Rehearsal Room management: 100,000

Youth Worker: 125,000

Refurbishment & equipment: 500,000

Where might the match funding come from: The Welsh Assembly Government, Local Authorities, Careers Wales; Coalfields Regeneration Trust; Princes Trust; WMF stakeholders; other private sector organisations in the local community.

Date 25/01/08

Organisation Name: Welsh Assembly Government, DE&T

Project Description: Project Name:- Coummunity Economic Development

It will operate in the most deprived communities within the area and aims to remove barriers to participation by socially excluded people was well as creating socio economic community hubs that could operate as multifunctional faculties and provide / enhance existing community assets. . This Project may cut across both ERDF and ESF Priorities, making a major contribution to the cross cutting themes of Equal Opportunities and Sustainability.

Projects could include:-

•    Micro renewable Project
Development of a co-ordinated strategy to develop / create the micro-renewable business sector across the South East Wales region.

•    Convergence Business Support Scheme Project particularly for the
identified gaps in support to the social economy, which engage with the hard to reach economically inactive retaining local economic increase in GDP

•    A small grant scheme across the Six valleys

•    “Valleys Urban Regeneration” Project.

•    Town centre regeneration

•    Creative Industries Project
Advice and guidance for creative industry SMEs.

•    Property Development Grant type scheme

•    Improving skills projects


Email Address: geraint.williams3@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: South West Wales

Organisation Core Business: The Department for the Economy and Transport delivers the economic regeneration and transport agendas for the Welsh Assembly Government.

Who will be involved in delivering the project: DE & T, the local authorities, the social economy the private sector, and possibly Educational establishments.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Communities which will have the capacity to accommodate socio-economic development opportunities.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Pembrokeshire – The Haven Spatial Plan and Swansea Bay and the Western valleys.

What might the outputs(activity measures): Increase in business sustainability, growth and turnover, job creation, local wealth, skills.

What might be the results of the project:

What would its impact be: Greater self confidence, supported local business opportunities and local employment along with environmental improvements within deprived communities giving residents, visitors and businesses an environment they want to invest in and make successful.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project:

Estimated Cost:

Where might the match funding come from: Welsh Assembly Government/ Local Authorities/ Third Sector.

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Date: 18/01/08

Organisation Name: ANNOG (Menter Mon)

Project Description: The project will:-
A.establish new social enterprises in the region B.develop the growth potential of existing social enterprises in the region C.restore and renew services into the regional economy through the establishment and development of social enterpises.
D.give new life and purpose to dormant capital assets through social enterprise activity in service provision

Email Address:
gerallt@mentermon.com

Geographical Area of Operation: 4 counties of North West Wales

Organisation Core Business: Community Economic Development

Who will be involved in delivering the project: ANNOG (Menter Mon)

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Social enterprises which provide community services through trading and which make economic contributions through job creation, asset development etc

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: NORTH WEST WALES SPATIAL REGION

What might the outputs(activity measures):

What might be the results of the project:

What would its impact be: 85 jobs created; 4000sqm of community owned assets improved and adapted, 50 new services established; 30 new social enterprises established; 20 existing social enterprises demonstrating turnover and asset growth of 20%. It will make significant inroads into the WAG's Social Enterprise Action Plan

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: It will operate across the four counties and will spend and achieve outputs equitably. It will be a 3 tear project initially

Estimated Cost: £14 million

Where might the match funding come from: WAG, Local Authorities; others

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Date: 17/01/08

Organisation Name: Isle of Anglesey County Council / Holyhead Forward

Project Description: Integrated Physical & Economic Regeneration Scheme for Holyhead Town Centre / Inner Harbour Area during 2008-13, including a Townscape Heritage Initiative, realising the Holyhead Forward Regeneration Strategy objectives, and contributing to the Wales Spatial Plan and Communities First strategy.

Email Address: dllpl@anglesey.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Anglesey / Holyhead

Organisation Core Business: Local Authority / Town Regeneration

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Anglesey CC, Holyhead Town Council, WAG, Stena, Communities First Partnerships.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Approx 250 businesses & 12,000 local residents, as well as the wider economy of Anglesey & NW Wales.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Town of Holyhead in North West Wales

What might the outputs(activity measures): Physical improvement schemes, land developed, organisations assisted.

What might be the results of the project: Premises created or refurbished (est 35), enterprises accommodated, jobs accommodated, gross jobs created, private sector investment induced.

What would its impact be: Occupancy rate of town centre premises increased, Net jobs created, Increase in turnover among businesses.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Large scale urban regeneration project at a strategic gateway location

Estimated Cost: Est. public sector input in range £4m-£8m

Where might the match funding come from: Heritage Lottery Fund (secured for THI), WAG Town Improvement Grant & Other Sources

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Date: 08/01/08

Organisation Name: Groundwork Wales

Project Description: T.I.M.E (Transition Into Meaningful Employment) is a pilot project whose overall aim is to address the cycle of re-offending. The project will focus on the economic and domestic difficulties faced by prisoners when released from custody. The project will offer a staged programme of reintegration training that provides individuals with a foundation on which to build a stable, successful future.

The broad objectives of TIME will be to provide for prisoners and ex-prisoners and their families:

•    A programme of skills and training development
•    Practical, on-the-job skills acquisition
•    A path to self-employment and employment
•    Paid, “live” working opportunities
•    Family support and growth opportunities

TIME will link into 2 potential placement initiatives which are designed to offer skills and employment development opportunities for socially-excluded individuals and groups. These initiatives will be “Grow It” and “Solid Ground” and will be managed by Groundwork Caerphilly.

They have a major potential to link with prisons and probation services in the area to provide prisoners with a range of activities which will prepare them for employment and self-employment, alongside other potentially-marginalised members of local communities. Activities will include development of:

•    Work aspirations and aptitudes
•    Personal skills
•    Basic work skills
•    Horticultural skills
•    Livestock management skills
•    Countryside skills
•    Building skills
•    Machinery building and fixing

Email Address: janet.walsh@groundwork.org.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: SE wales initially

Organisation Core Business: environmental regeneration and sustainable development

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Groundwork , Morphious, SOVA, Probation Service, Barnardo’s, the Prince’s Trust, DfES, HMP Prescoed, Shelter Cymru, Y.O.T, Job Centre Plus, Local Authorities, Community

Who will be the end beneficiaries: - Serving prisoners, many of whom require support and or strategies to tackle social exclusion, low self-esteem, poor basic skills,
lack of aspirations and limited employment opportunities; •    The families
of serving prisoners (as prisoners are less likely to re-offend and more
likely to gain employment, with the relevant skills); •    Employers, who
will have access to a better informed, more motivated, trained and
self-aware workforce; •    The community at large (which will benefit from
reduced rates of offending). Serving prisoners, who lack the opportunities that we propose to provide, are less engaged and more likely to be negatively affected by the experience of serving a custodial
sentence.; •    Many of the younger prisoners are “frequent and life style
offenders” with little understanding of employment or self-employment. As a consequence, without clear attainable occupational goals, self-worth and the opportunity for ongoing support and stimulation, they are more likely
to re-offend on release.•    Many of the younger prisoners are “frequent and
life style offenders” with little understanding of employment or self-employment. As a consequence, without clear attainable occupational goals, self-worth and the opportunity for ongoing support and stimulation,
they are more likely to re-offend on release.; •    NOMS, the prison service,
probation and the Home Office will ultimately benefit through the reduction of recidivism, which will reduce costs associated with re-offending.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: SE Wales - initial pilot in Caerphilly; roll out into other areas

What might the outputs(activity measures): No. or beneficiaries/participants recruited to the project; No gaining qualification; No on placements; No in employment; No of family programmes delivered; No going into self-employment; No going into voluntary work; No of social enterprises established; No of participants/beneficiaries not re-offending; no. completing stages 1 – 3 training and completing the programme.

What might be the results of the project: The project will provide a route to skills development and employment through a staged programme that focuses on working with an individual to overcome their specific needs. Ultimately we aim to develop a support network that enables the individual and their immediate family (if appropriate) to successfully reintegrate into mainstream society.

What would its impact be: Currently statistics show that there is a 60% rate of re-offending within 2 years of release. This programme will aim to reduce this figure to within 30% of its beneficiary group

Roughly what might be the scale of the project:

Estimated Cost: c £200k per annum per area

Where might the match funding come from: to be confirmed

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 

Date: 06/01/08

Organisation Name: Groundwork Wales

Project Description: Greencare
This is a tried and tested model for community regeneration delivered by Groundwork in partnership with local communities.

The project engages with communities, removes barriers to employment and provides lasing economic, environmental and social benefit to some of the most deprived wards in Wales.

Implementation is through skills building, partnership working, support, advice and physical improvement which focus on the natural, built and personal environment. There are long lasting benefits which stimulate the development of new services, employment opportunities and increased community participation and social capital.

Aim
To actively engage and develop community groups and individuals to bring about active and sustainable change which unlocks the economic potential of local communities.

Objectives:
- a comprehensive and flexible service of community engagement with a focus on skills building and stepping up to entrepreneurialism or further training.
- participatory and technical support to increase understanding and action to develop environmental, cultural and heritage projects which enhances local distinctiveness, increasing the local economy.
- a service based on local community action which assists individuals to move to routes of employment and/or learning and training - based upon local skills gaps and job markets;
- provide guidance, signposting and resources.
- facilitated exchanges to host organisations and other groups/projects;
- volunteering with linked accredited training;
- activities to promote social inclusion through celebrations and events;
- community visioning to identify local issues and solutions;
- community based planning, design and evaluation.
- links into local strategies and assistance to increase local participation in such as Communities First, Communities Next and community planning.

The project will be delivered through implementation teams in Groundwork and in partnership with similar organisations in areas where Groundwork is not locally based. This working arrangement is being tested in the Cleaner Greener Communities project which Groundwork partners with Keep Wales Tidy and BTCV. The Greencare model builds upon the initial intervention and completion of projects proposed under the aforementioned project.

Email Address: janet.walsh@groundwork.org.uk;

Geographical Area of Operation: wales wide

Organisation Core Business: environmental regeneration and sustainable development

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Groundwork, third sector partner organisations and groups

Who will be the end beneficiaries: communities- and individuals; local authorities; local enterprises;

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: all convergence and competitiveness

What might the outputs(activity measures): land improved; people engaged, training schemes and workshops delivered; partnerships and networks created; products and services created; jobs created, jobs safeguarded;

What might be the results of the project: enterprises created; increased skills, routes of employment and training achieved;

What would its impact be: increased economic activity, increased partnership working; increased products and services;

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: applicable in each local authority area; links directly to communities First wards and super output areas; costed per local authority area

Estimated Cost: £500k over 3 years per designated local authority area

Where might the match funding come from: CCW, lottery, CFAP, Local authorities

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Date: 06/01/08

Organisation Name: Groundwork Wales

Project Description: Welsh Seed Bank
Project proposal:
To set up a network of small/medium size social enterprises. To grow native local wildflowers with the aim of selling product through a Welsh Seed Bank umbrella organisation consisting of a panel of stakeholders.

Aim:
Increase the use of native and local British wildflowers throughout Wales.

Objectives:
Set up a pilot scheme and then role out to other areas throughout Wales Set up a network of indigenous wildflower donor sites and nurseries Set up the distribution of a network of native local provenance wildflowers Support the collection of environmental data Data collection Develop volunteer opportunities Develop training opportunities Develop a well regarded brand Develop a market for wildflower seeds/plants Provide a quality environmental consultancy service and a unique wildflower seed/plant product

Pilot Project:
The pilot proposal will engage volunteers and local experts to collect appropriate native local provenance seeds from donor sites such as wildlife trust reserves and national trust sites. These seeds will be sown on three identified nursery sites as close to the donor site as possible to; reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions and to ensure plants are grown in conditions as closely matched to the area they where gathered. The nursery sites are (to be confirmed).
Llys Nini – A RSPCA site on the Gower, Swansea, with 78 acres of mixed semi-improved grassland and woodlands, the group is part of the Environment Wales network and is receiving advice and grants from the initiative.
Riverside community market (Cardiff). – the group has recently arranged the rental of 5 acres of land to grow produce to be sold at the Cardiff market Groundwork Trust – To be decided.

Llys Nini and Riverside community market will be developed further as existing social enterprises through the support and signposting process of Groundwork Wales social enterprise team and the Environment Wales development officer who has already worked extensively with the groups.
The third (Groundwork trust) site will be developed as a social enterprise. The seed and or plants will be marketed and sold as truly native local provenance seeds and a very distinct branding will be developed around this.

The following organisations have been consulted to gauge the need of this project. All have stated there is a demand for this resource, most have also offered help and or advice in the future:
Flora Locale;
CCW;
Wildlife Trust;
Environment Wales partners and groups;
Welsh Bee Keepers Association;
Institute for Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER); Local Authorities;

Further consultation will be undertaken on all aspects of the project including potential buyers.

Email Address: janet.walsh@groundwork.org.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: wales wide

Organisation Core Business: environmental regeneration and sustainable development

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Flora Locale , IGER, Welsh Bee Keepers Association, Local Authorities, Groundwork Trusts, Environment Wales, Wildlife Trusts, CCW

Who will be the end beneficiaries: community groups and enterprises; local authorities, individuals

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: pilot areas within convergence areas

What might the outputs(activity measures): social enterprises created; training schemes delivered; partnerships and networks created; products and services created

What might be the results of the project: gross jobs created and safeguarded; increased skills,

What would its impact be: carbon sequestration, net jobs created strengthened local economy; reduction of CO2 emissions; strengthened local volunteer engagement

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 3 pilot areas initially tested and evaluated for roll-out widely

Estimated Cost: £100k over 2 years

Where might the match funding come from: CCW, lottery

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Date: 20/12/07

Organisation Name: Groundwork Wales

Project Description: Heritage Trails
Project Description:
To extend the network of Loops and Links and develop a recreational resource for local people and visitors; connecting to countryside and improving access to the physical and intellectual heritage assets along the routeways.

Aims & Objectives:
- improve access to the physical and intellectual heritage assets of the valleys;
- increase awareness of local history and distinctiveness;
- increase the tourism opportunities of the south Wales valleys' heritage;
- support tourism enterprises, cultural initiatives;
- support events such as guided rides, walks etc.;
- support local groups to provide trail guides, marketing and promotional material;
- support community-based feasibility studies and local interpretation plans in support of developing local heritage assets.

Email Address: janet.walsh@groundwork.org.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: South Wales Valleys, Convergence areas

Organisation Core Business: regeneration and sustainable development

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Groundwork , Herian, Sustrans, Ramblers Association, Local Authorities, CCW, British Horse Society, Forestry Commission Wales, Valleys Tourism, Heads of the Valleys Strategic Partnership, Greening the Valleys partnership

Who will be the end beneficiaries: communities and visitors to south Wales valleys

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: south east

What might the outputs(activity measures): New rotes created; new groups formed; no of people actively engaged; no of new SMEs; increased turnover in local businesses and enterprises; enterprises created;

What might be the results of the project:

What would its impact be:

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 3 - 5 years;

Estimated Cost: £500k per annum

Where might the match funding come from: Local Authorities, CCW, lottery

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Date: 20/12/07

Organisation Name: Groundwork Wales

Project Description: Greencare Apprentices

Project Description:
This is a project to provide young people aged 16 - 25 with a structured training and learning programme integrating their skills with local economy and the needs of local employers.

Aims:
- increase networking and cooperation between education and environment sectors;
- create skills and address local skill gaps;
- create a network with schools, colleges, business and other local organisations to engage young people, particularly those at risk of disengagement, in a range of diversionary and educational activities which will prepare them for future work.
- increase confidence of young people;

Objectives:
- to provide bespoke package of training, learning and skills building for young people;
- provide support to access routes to further training and employment;
- to provide individual mentoring

-    provide placement opportunities.

Email Address: janet.walsh@groundwork.org.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: South Wales Valleys, Convergence areas

Organisation Core Business: regeneration and sustainable development

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Groundwork , schools and colleges, education authorities, DCELLS, local groups

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Young people but particularly those at risk of disaffection and disengagement;

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: South east but applicable widely

What might the outputs(activity measures): no of young people involved,; no of young people successfully completing apprenticeship programme; no of young people gaining qualifications; no of days experience on work-related activities; no of partnerships created; no of young people progressed;

What might be the results of the project: increased skills; qualifications received; increased confidence;

What would its impact be: more young people in work; local people better trained in environmental activities; increased interpersonal skills.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 3 years;

Estimated Cost: £1m

Where might the match funding come from: Local Authorities, CCW, lottery

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Date: 20/12/07

Organisation Name: Groundwork Wales

Project Description: Green Skills and Economy - ILM

Project Description:
To develop a rural skills ILM to undertake work on sustainable projects; improving access to existing community facilities,settlements and local countryside. Training and skills building will be provided enabling participants to be active in managing and enhancing the natural and built local environment. Support will be given to take participants a step further to develop community businesses and social enterprises.

Aims:
- increase the number of people into sustainable work; plugging the gap in skilled rural landscape management;
- increase the number of sustainable SMEs;
- improve the quality of service and skills in countryside management skills;
- enhance and improve the natural heritage of the Valleys to help support local and regional environmental strategies;
- improve health and wellbeing by providing opportunities for outdoor learning and activities;

Objectives:
- establish key training venues in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taff to teach countryside skills;
- establish a timber based social enterprise at Fedw Hir
- provide basic skills as part of entry level training as required;
- provide mentoring in support of individuals and groups establishing SME.

Groundwork Merthyr and RCT with CCW commissioned a feasibility study in
2005 which confirmed the skills gap in higher value rural countryside skills training.

Email Address: janet.walsh@groundwork.org.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: South Wales Valleys, Convergence areas

Organisation Core Business: regeneration and sustainable development

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Groundwork , Rhondda Cynon Taff CCW, Heads of the Valleys Employment Consortia, local colleges providing accredited courses

Who will be the end beneficiaries: communities in Merthyr Tydfil and RCT

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: South east

What might the outputs(activity measures): no of participants upskilled; no of jobs created;

What might be the results of the project: increased skills; qualifications received; new SMEs established;

What would its impact be: increased turnover; increased number of local providers to LA and other agencies commissioning countryside management; higher quality skills and service.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 3 years; applicable across Heads of the Valleys area; linking with other ILMs in each county and local colleges offering routes to further training

Estimated Cost: £1m

Where might the match funding come from: Local Authorities, CCW, lottery

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Date: 19/12/07

Organisation Name: Groundwork Wales

Project Description: Heritage and Cultural Tourism Community Networks
Aims:
- To develop and grow local employment through development and enhancement of local culture, heritage and environment - the Valleys, a distinctive place to visit work and live.
- Transform the perception of the Valleys into a destination for tourism and investment
- to encourage local use and appreciation of the hiqh quality environment and its history; increasing physical activity and ownership;

Objectives:
- establishment and support of sustainable local networks to develop community based enterprises with shared goals based on local distinctiveness;
- create opportunities for economic diversification for deprived or isolated communities by connecting them to other settlements and groups/individuals;
- provide mentoring, advice and support to groups to take steps to create economic opportunities based on local services, culture and identity;
- provide equal opportunities for communities suffering disadvantage
- support the Herian Strategy through promotion of the Valleys' history, culture and identity.
- support a range of festivals/events to promote local distinctiveness; provide a forum for network members and other local providers

Email Address: janet.walsh@groundwork.org.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: South Wales Valleys, Convergence areas

Organisation Core Business: regeneration and sustainable development

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Groundwork , Herian, Rhondda Cynon Taff Rural Assets Network - VISIT, merthyr Tydfil rural development; local access groups, Bridgend and neath Port Talbot County Borough Councils, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Forestry Commission Wales, CCW, Valleys Tourism Association, Public Art in Wales.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: communities in the south Wales valleys

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: South east , Swansea Bay

What might the outputs(activity measures): no of visitors; no of groups networked; no of events; no jobs created; no jobs safeguarded;

What might be the results of the project: increase in visitors, jobs safeguarded and created, increased use of services; increased community pride;

What would its impact be: increased GDP

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 6 years

Estimated Cost: £700k for the initial 3 year period

Where might the match funding come from: Local Authorities, CCW, lottery

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Date: 19/12/07

Organisation Name: Groundwork Wales

Project Description: Economic Growth Through Outdoor Learning The project will act as a step-up programme for volunteers, placements and those on the work-based learning Pathways 14-19 age group. The participants will learn skills and acwuire work place readiness. a comprehensive package of environmental activities will be provided and through this active engagement, volunteers and placements will learn project management, basic numeracy and literacy and ICT. Support and mentoring will be provided to link to job search, further learning/training routes and placements.

Aims:
- enhance opportunities for individuals to acquire informal training in the environmental sector
- prepare individuals for entry/re-entry into the green social economy or other routes;
- improve basic skills including pratical skills, nueracy, literacy and ICT.

Objectives:
- provide environmental volunteering activities to build capacity for relevant local work;
- provide support and learning opportunities for specific groups
- provide basic skills training in countryside management and rural crafts;
- utilise volunteering activities as an assessment period and pre-training programme before 'stepping-up' to paid training programmes or apprenticeship schemes;
- promote volunteer activities as a means of outdoor activity, unlocking the health barrier to economic activity

Email Address: janet.walsh@groundwork.org.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taff

Organisation Core Business: regeneration and sustainable development

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Groundwork Merthyr and RCT, Merthyr Tydfil CBC, Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC, CCW, FCW, Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil; Interlink, Tydfil Training, Careers Wales, Elite Support Services, Bro Dysg.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: communities in Merthyr and RCT

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: South east

What might the outputs(activity measures): mentoring sessions; links with training and learning providers; 30 physical projects; 150 volunteers achieving recognised accredited training; 1200 volunteers receiving basic training

What might be the results of the project: Increased skills and understanding of green social economy; 150 volunteers supported in job search; increase of volunteers seeking accredited training; 200 Ha of land and routeway improved

What would its impact be: volunteers and placements finding employment and further training; improved access and recreational land, increase in local users of recreational land;

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 3 years in 2 counties

Estimated Cost: £500k for the 3 year period

Where might the match funding come from: CCW, Lottery, Local Authority

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