Four community projects in Caerphilly County Borough are to share almost £750,000 in grant funding from the Welsh Government’s Community Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP).
The funding is part of a larger £5.7 million package to boost communities across Wales.
The following have been awarded funding:
Holy Trinity Church in Wales, in Ystrad Mynach – £17,000
St Paul’s Church, in Newbridge – £135,357.70
Senghenydd Community Centre – £290,298
United Reformed Church, Caerphilly town – £300,000
Welsh Communities Minister Carl Sargeant said: “These grants are not simply about improving buildings. Local clubs and centres can be the hub of the community where people, young and old, get together and enjoy social activities.
“Whether a small or large amount, CFAP funding has a beneficial impact upon Welsh communities and the day to day lives of local people. Many of the projects from earlier grants have now come to fruition and have made a huge difference to the communities in which they are based.
“That’s why I’m pleased to see so many local groups and volunteers taking matters into their own hands and applying for grants to make their centre a better place for the whole community to enjoy.”
Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert has welcomed the grant money.
He said: “This is a huge amount of investment by the Welsh Government into Caerphilly and the most successful round for our area that I can remember.
“The application process is very rigorous and such success would suggest that we have a group of volunteers in the area who are dedicated to providing facilities and activities for the wider community. This good news is much needed after the recent budget announcement by George Osbourne which promises more austerity.
Congratulations to the three groups [in the Caerphilly constituency] who received funding and I wish them well in their planned improvements. I would urge those projects in the area which might not have been awarded funding this time to keep trying and apply again.”
The Community Facilities and Activities Programme was launched in 2002 and to date has funded 831 projects totalling over £92.3 million.