At the heart of every thriving community is the power of collaboration, and this was the central theme at the Third Sector Conference held at Venue Cymru. Among the bustling crowd of community groups and charities was Eirian from the National Lottery Community Fund, a much sought-after delegate at the event. During our conversation, Erian shed light on the vital role the National Lottery plays in supporting community-led projects across Wales.
The National Lottery Community Fund has been a cornerstone of community development for over 30 years, awarding £36.8 million across 1005 grants last year alone. These grants, ranging from £300 to £500,000, empower communities to turn their innovative ideas into reality. Erian emphasised the importance of grassroots involvement, stating, "Our funding aims to give people the power to build and strengthen their community by supporting them to come together and improve lives."
