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Quarter of a million pounds of Welsh Government funding is going towards supporting Welsh-speaking community projects.

Community groups were invited to apply for funding to set up or support co-operatives, social enterprises and community-led housing projects.

In total, 21 applications were successful in securing funding from the Prosiect Perthyn scheme, which is managed by Cwmpas – a development agency supporting co-operatives and social enterprises in Wales.

The Welsh Government’s education and Welsh language minister, Jeremy Miles, said: “The Welsh language belongs to us all, and that includes every community in Wales.

“These grants will help create opportunities, provide affordable housing and help protect the Welsh Language.”

Economy minister Vaughan Gething said: “Social enterprises and community-led cooperatives are an important part of the social and economic landscape in Wales – providing good quality job opportunities, supporting local economies and in many cases safeguarding community assets and vital services. That’s why supporting them to develop and grow is a key aim of the Welsh Government.”

Mr Gethin added: “Delivering this project through Cwmpas has also ensured the project aligns and benefits from the wider support available through Social Business Wales.”

Jocelle Lovell, director of inclusive communities at Cwmpas, said: “Perthyn works with the communities to identify ways to address the lack of affordable housing, protect community assets and create new cooperatives and social businesses.

“A real enabler for us has been administering a small grant pilot scheme for the communities to help build local capacity and accelerate their business and housing ideas. We look forward to seeing the ideas develop and to working with more communities over the coming months.”