A grant to encourage and support people in engaging with the democratic process.
Contents
What funding is available?
£400,000 is being made available, per year, to improve democratic engagement.
About the grant
Our Programme for government includes a commitment to reduce the democratic deficit.
This grant supports our aim to ensure every citizen can engage with democracy.
We aim to fund a range of organisations to ensure all groups can be reached. We will also be looking to ensure a geographic spread. The grant panel will consider value for money in their decision making.
Who can apply for the grant?
- Welsh based organisations that are registered with The Charity Commission.
- 'Not-for-profit' organisations.
- Local authorities in Wales .
We welcome applications that propose partnership and collaborative working. There should be one lead applicant who will act as the grant holder and data controller.
We will not accept applications from any organisation with a party-political affiliation.
Required criteria
Successful applicants will join the Welsh Democratic Engagement Partnership. The Partnership meets on a regular basis.
Successful applicants will provide an evaluation at the end of the grant term.
How to apply
1. Apply by completing the application form.
There are 2 application forms for projects requesting funding. Please refer to the guidance to ensure the correct form is used.
You can submit extra information you consider useful in support of your application. This can be project plans, communication plans, organisational and relationship diagrams.
2. Email your completed application to: Etholiadau.Elections@gov.wales.
We will write to the lead applicant of each application of the outcome.
Timeline and further information
We intend to open as many grant application windows as possible throughout the year. Bids for funding above £1000 must be received during an application window. Bids for £1000 or less can be submitted at any time in the year.
Dates and key information for consideration:
- 31 March 2025: grant application window opens.
- 9 May 2025: grant application window closes.
- 22 to 23 May 2025: applications assessed by panel.
Following the closure of the application window, our grant panel will meet to assess bids. Organisations will then be informed of the decision as well as next steps.
- 2 June 2025: the start date for successful applications.
- 31 March 2026: the end of the 2025 to 2026 financial year.