May 15, 2026 - 206 views
A new funding opportunity is opening across North West Wales aimed at strengthening relationships between communities, tackling misunderstanding and encouraging people from different backgrounds to come together.
The North West Wales Community Cohesion Fund 2026/27 will offer grants of between £500 and £5,000 to voluntary and community organisations across Conwy, Gwynedd and Anglesey, supporting projects that help build stronger, more inclusive communities.
Administered by the Community Cohesion Team for North West Wales, the fund is designed to support events, activities and initiatives that bring people together, challenge negative perceptions and promote shared understanding between different groups.
At its heart, “community cohesion” is about making sure people from all backgrounds feel they belong where they live. That can mean neighbours getting to know each other, different cultural groups celebrating together, or local organisations creating safe spaces where people can talk, learn and connect without fear or misunderstanding.
It also focuses on reducing tensions before they grow, by encouraging positive conversations and shared experiences that replace stereotypes with real human connection.
The fund is open to third sector organisations and community groups, with applications encouraged for projects that promote inclusion, celebrate diversity and share positive messages about local communities. Activities could include cultural events, workshops, youth activities, community meals, awareness campaigns or storytelling projects.
Organisations applying must be properly constituted and have a bank account in their name, or work with a host organisation to receive funding on their behalf. Only one application per group is allowed, although collaboration between organisations is strongly encouraged.
Projects supported by the scheme are expected to align with key Welsh Government policies, including the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, the Socio-economic Duty, Nation of Sanctuary, Cymraeg 2050, the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan and the LGBTQ+ Action Plan.
The focus, officials say, is not just on short-term events, but on long-term relationship building — helping communities feel safer, more connected and more confident in their shared identity.
A spokesperson for the Community Cohesion Team said the aim is to support “practical, grassroots work that makes a real difference in everyday life”, adding that even small grants can have a big impact when communities are given the tools to connect.
Applications and information packs are available until 27 May 2026, with completed forms to be submitted by email to the Community Cohesion Team. Further details are available by contacting communitycohesion@anglesey.gov.wales.
In simple terms, community cohesion is about people seeing each other not as strangers or labels, but as neighbours — sharing the same streets, schools, workplaces and futures, and finding ways to live well together.
