Mentrau Iaith Cymru are proud to announce that they have been awarded a Volunteering Wales Strategic Grant by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) for a new 18-month project, which will run from 2026 until February 2028.
The aim of the project is to build the capacity of County Voluntary Councils (CVCs) to support Welsh-language organisations and communities, strengthen partnerships between the Mentrau Iaith and the Voluntary Councils, and improve the support that is available to Welsh-speaking volunteers. Through this work, the project will promote best practice in engaging with Welsh-speaking communities, gather valuable lessons learned, and share them nationally for the benefit of the voluntary sector across Wales.
The project will be delivered in two areas of Wales with differing linguistic profiles. In North Wales, the project will build on work already taking place in Gwynedd, co-designing and sharing good practice with the Menter Iaith and the voluntary council for Anglesey (Medrwn Môn). The aim is to help third-sector organisations operate in a way that reflects the bilingual nature of their communities.
In South East Wales, the project will strengthen the partnership between Menter Iaith Merthyr Tudful and VAMT, supporting the Voluntary Council to develop new ways of working that place the Welsh language at the heart of its activities and facilitate meaningful engagement with local voluntary organisations.
Myfanwy Jones, Director of Mentrau Iaith Cymru, said:
“We are delighted to be working on this project to develop a framework that will assist County Voluntary Councils across Wales in their work supporting organisations and volunteers, with the Welsh language at the heart of that work. We look forward to facilitating collaboration between the Mentrau Iaith, the Voluntary Councils, the Welsh Language Commissioner’s Office, and WCVA as we develop this important work.”
The project contributes directly to the objectives of the Volunteering Wales Strategic Grant by addressing barriers to volunteering, strengthening strategic partnerships, promoting good practice, supporting inclusion, and building a knowledge base that can be shared across Wales. It will also support the vision of A New Approach to Volunteering in Wales, ensuring that volunteering is inclusive, sustainable, and reflective of Welsh society, culture, and language.
