Anti-Racist Wales Culture Fund 2025 to 2026: guidance
Guidance on how to apply for the Anti-Racist Wales Culture Fund.
This file may not be fully accessible.
In this page
1. Introduction
The Anti-racist Wales Action Plan (ARWAP), published in June 2022 builds on previous Welsh Government initiatives on race equality, and reconfirms the Welsh Government’s long-held commitment to advancing equality for all. The Action Plan was reviewed and subsequently refreshed, incorporating new actions, before being published in November 2024. The goals and actions related to culture, heritage, and sport remain unchanged as we conclude an independent theory of change evaluation on our grant programmes. The findings from the evaluation will inform and help refine our goals and actions in the ARWAP.
The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government emphasizes the importance of representing and reflecting the history and culture of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people to ensure that their contribution to Wales is recognized while enabling equal access and participation. This will deliver improved outcomes for all, and will better reflect and promote a multi-cultural, vibrant and diverse Wales, which is fundamental to delivering our vision of a truly anti-racist Wales.
To achieve the vision of a truly anti-racist Wales, the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan, sets out clear goals and actions. The Culture, Heritage and Sport section can be found on pages 31 to 35 and focuses on the themes of Leadership, Funding, Celebrating Cultural Diversity, the Historical Narrative and Learning about our Cultural Diversity.
The Anti-racist Wales Culture Fund for the local sector will provide grant funding to support organisations to deliver the deliver the Culture goals and actions in the ARWAP and our Programme for Government commitments.
Applicants should read the following guidance carefully and develop their proposals in accordance with the assessment criteria.
2. Application process
The grant scheme will operate as a competitive single stage application process.
The timetable for the 2025/26 grant scheme is:
- Anti-racist Wales Culture Fund opens: 21 May 2025
- Application window: 21 May to 18 June 2025
- Applications assessed: June to July 2025
- Decisions issued: by w/c 14 July 2025
- Projects start: August 2025
3. Who can apply
In order to apply for funding, you should:
- be an organisation, or an individual working with relevant organisations based in Wales or whose activity is based in Wales
- be active in the Culture: Arts, Museums, Archives, Libraries or Heritage sectors, with experience of either engagement or delivery in these sectors
- commit to involvement in the Welsh Government evaluation of the programme
- be able to complete the grant funded work by 20 March 2026 and claim by 25 March 2026.
All provisionally successful applications will be subject to background financial checks. Failure to pass these checks may result in an unsuccessful outcome for grant funding.
All offers of grant will be subject to the Welsh Government’s standard terms and conditions of the grant.
The Welsh Government policy is to make payments in arrears. However, it recognises that some organisations do not hold large reserves and do not have the resources to undertake work and receive payment afterwards. Provision of funding for committed expenditure may be considered in advance of payment but only where evidence of need is clearly established. This must be stated at the application stage, with evidence to follow if the applicant is successful. If funding is then not spent as intended, it will need to be repaid.
Payment in arrears refers to where payment is made after the service or product has been delivered. It contrasts with payments in advance, where payment occurs before the delivery of goods or services.
4. What we will fund
Applications should demonstrate how the funded projects will meet the Culture, goals and actions of the Anti-racist Wales Plan.
Applications for revenue funding of between £10,000- £20,000 will be considered upon submission of the attached application form.
If you have a proposal that falls slightly outside the budget range, please contact us to discuss whether an application could be considered. Please send the request with a clear rationale and associated budget to culture@gov.wales. This must be done at least five working days before the fund deadline.
All funding from this grant scheme is discretionary with competition likely for the available funds. Submitting an application does not guarantee all, or some, of the money you apply for.
Where an application includes the delivery of a wide range of related activities, we advise applicants to prioritise them clearly within their application and provide sufficient information for each element of the proposal to allow officials to consider them as distinct and costed projects, if needed. Providing this information may allow us to consider funding some of your higher priority activities, in the event that competition for our available budget prevents consideration of the application as a whole.
All projects must be able to complete by 20 March 2026.
Typical revenue costs may include:
- salaries for the staff involved in running the project, and/or payment of participants and organisers;
- costs of premises hire, transport and subsistence for those involved in the project;
- event related costs, and insurance; and costs of materials used to organise, promote, and facilitate the project.
All grant applications will be assessed by the Culture Division against the priority criteria listed in section 5 of this document.
We are seeking applications which clearly demonstrate how they support the delivery of the Culture goals and actions outlined in the ArWAP. Priority will be given to proposals that focus on advancing leadership and funding goals. However, we also welcome applications that contribute to the broader delivery of culture goals and actions within the Culture, Heritage, and Sport section of the Plan. It is essential that your application establishes a strong connection between your project and its role in supporting and delivering these specific goals and actions.
The Welsh Government’s new Priorities for Culture outline a number of strategic priorities and ambitions for the culture sector in Wales. Your application would be strengthened if it can also demonstrate strong alignment with the new Priorities for Culture.
Our funding assessment and grant allocation will be based on a balanced distribution of funds, ensuring support for all goals and actions, with greater emphasis placed on projects aligned with leadership and funding priorities. While leadership goals and actions are primarily designed for national bodies, we strongly believe that the local sector also plays a valuable role in their delivery.
If you have previously applied for funding through our Culture funding from the Welsh Government, we are particularly interested in understanding how this application will expand upon and enhance your earlier projects. Please outline how your proposed work builds on past initiatives, strengthens their impact, and contributes to the delivery of the Culture goals and actions in the ArWAP. This will help us better assess the continuity and added value of your application.
Examples of areas that can be funded under this grant scheme include, but are not limited to:
- Anti-racism training /mentoring programme for leadership and board members.
- Initiatives to diversify board membership.
- Development of toolkit and training to improve recruitment practice to support applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people.
- Support co-designed programmes between national bodies and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic led organisations.
- Establish a regional capacity-building hub to support access to funding and organisational growth of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic-led organisations.
- Use and management of existing collections and/or new artefacts and archives to improve access, understanding or break down barriers for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people.
- Research.
- Engagement and outreach with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people in reviewing processes and systems as well as development of new programmes of work.
Applicants should also note the following:
- Applicants may ask for up to 10% of the grant award to support project management staff costs, however, please be aware the Welsh Government will not be responsible for any redundancy costs when the project comes to an end.
- We will not fund projects that are currently receiving other grant funding from the Welsh Government.
- We welcome applications where match funding from another organisation is in place. Please provide evidence of your match funding offer alongside your application.
5. Assessment criteria
Applications will be scored using the following scoring scale. Each assessment criteria score will be multiplied by the associated weighting factor to give a total score. More detail on each criterion can be found in sections 6-13.
| Assessment Criteria | Score | Weighting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anti-racist Wales Action Plan Goals and Actions Evidence of how project contributes to the delivering of the Culture, Heritage and Sport goals and actions in the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan. Clear link to the goal and the action(s) demonstrated within the application. | 0 – 4 | x 3 |
| 2 | Programme for Government Commitments Evidence of how project aligns with the specific Programme for Government commitments on racial equity. | 0 – 4 | x 2 |
| 3 | Priorities for Culture Evidence of how the project aligns with the ambitions contained in the new Priorities for Culture. | 0-4 | X2 |
| 4 | Project Delivery and Cost Evidence of how project delivery will be managed. | 0 – 4 | x 2 |
| 5 | Co-production/Community support Evidence of community support/co-production for your project. | 0 – 4 | x 2 |
| 6 | Long-term impact Evidence of long-term impact and sustainability of project. | 0 – 4 | x 2 |
| 7 | Measuring and Reporting Information about how project activity will be measured and reported. | 0 – 4 | x 2 |
6. Criteria 1: Anti-racist Wales Action Plan Goals and Actions
Applicants will be assessed on how they deliver the Culture, Heritage and Sport goals and actions set out on page 31-35 in the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan.
The Culture ARWAP goals are included below:
Leadership
To hold publicly funded organisations accountable for the delivery of anti-racist measures and actions, as set out in this action plan.
Funding
To work with our sponsored bodies to ensure they use their spending powers to embed anti-racist practice, facilitate equality of access and outcomes, and maximise participation for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people.
Celebrating Diversity
Support all parts of the society in Wales to embrace and celebrate its diverse cultural heritage while understanding, and recognising the right to, freedom of cultural expression.
The Historical Narrative
To work with public bodies to fully recognise their responsibility (individually and collectively) for setting a balanced historical narrative, taking into account historical injustices and the positive impact of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic people.
Learning about our Cultural Diversity
Identify and meet targets to deliver anti-racist education and learning; including interpretation, marketing and educational materials that recognise and celebrate the rich and diverse cultural mix of our society, encourage widespread physical and intellectual engagement and so promote anti-racist practice and principles throughout.
| Score | |
|---|---|
| 4 | A very clear, comprehensive and compelling explanation is given of how the project will address goals and action(s) within the ARWAP. |
| 3 | A clear and convincing explanation is given of how the project will address goals and action(s) within the ARWAP |
| 2 | A somewhat clear explanation is given of how the project will address goals and action(s) within the ARWAP, but plans contain minor gaps and could be more strongly developed. |
| 1 | Links to how the project will address goals and action(s) within the ARWAP are apparent, but not fully explored. |
| 0 | No information has been provided as to how the project will address goals and action(s) within the ARWAP. |
7. Criteria 2: Programme for Government Commitments
Grant applicants will be assessed on how their project aligns with the following Welsh Government Programme for Government (PFG) commitments:
- Ensure that Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic histories are properly reflected throughout our cultural and heritage sectors including in our National Museums.
| Score | |
|---|---|
| 4 | A very clear, comprehensive and compelling explanation is given of how the project will support the delivery of the specific PFG Commitments. |
| 3 | A clear and convincing explanation is given of how the project will support the delivery of the specific PFG commitments. |
| 2 | A somewhat clear explanation is given of how the project will support the delivery of the specific PFG commitments, but plans contain minor gaps and could be more strongly developed. |
| 1 | Links to how the project will support the delivery of the specific PFG commitments are apparent, but not fully explored. |
| 0 | No information has been provided as to how the project will support the delivery of the specific PFG commitments |
8. Criteria 3: Priorities for Culture
Grant applicants will be assessed on how their project aligns with the new Priorities for Culture, in particular the following priority and ambitions:
Priority 1: Culture brings us together
- Culture is inclusive, accessible and diverse.
- Cultural democracy and cultural rights are central to culture.
- Culture is embedded in place-making.
- Culture reflects the needs and aspirations of children and young people, and strengthens the connection between generations.
- Cultural participation supports individual and community well-being.
| Score | |
|---|---|
| 4 | A very clear, comprehensive and compelling explanation is given of how the project will support the delivery of the ambitions in the Priorities for Culture. |
| 3 | A clear and convincing explanation is given of how the project will support the delivery of the ambitions in the Priorities for Culture. |
| 2 | A somewhat clear explanation is given of how the project will support the delivery of the ambitions in the Priorities for Culture, but plans contain minor gaps and could be more strongly developed. |
| 1 | Links to how the project will support the delivery of the ambitions in the Priorities for Culture are apparent, but not fully explored. |
| 0 | No information has been provided as to how the project will support the delivery of the ambitions in the Priorities for Culture. |
9. Criteria 4: Project Delivery and Cost
Grant applicants will be assessed on how their application demonstrates the delivery of key project outputs through a clear delivery plan. All activity will take place in the period August 2025 to March 2026 (this is the maximum project delivery period), or for a shorter delivery period.
All proposals will include a budget, providing a breakdown of expected costs. Costs should be the minimum level of funding necessary to deliver the project. Within the cost breakdown, proposals should also provide an explanation about how the costs of the project are reasonable. This will need to include clear evidence of how the costs have been arrived at as set out in the application form.
Applications should provide a payment schedule which provides an estimated timeline for making claims based on your project timetable and milestones.
Applications should identify key risks and show how these will be mitigated.
| Score |
|
|---|---|
| 4 | A very clear, compelling and comprehensive explanation is given of how project delivery will be managed. This will include: the project’s key milestones and explanations as to how they will be delivered, a clear budget including a well evidenced breakdown of costs, and a comprehensive risk register detailing appropriate risk mitigations. |
| 3 | A clear and convincing explanation is given of how project delivery will be managed. This will include: the project’s key milestones and explanations as to how they will be delivered, a clear budget including an evidenced breakdown of costs, and a comprehensive risk register detailing appropriate risk mitigations. |
| 2 | A somewhat clear explanation is given of how project delivery will be managed. This will include: the project’s key milestones and explanations as to how they will be delivered, a budget including an evidenced breakdown of costs, and a risk register detailing possible risk mitigations. But plans contain minor gaps and could be more strongly developed. |
| 1 | Details of how project delivery will be managed are provided but not fully explored. Milestones, budgetary and/ or risk information is provided but are unclear, incomplete or not fully explored. |
| 0 | No information has been provided as to how project delivery will be managed. |
10. Criteria 5: Co-production/Community support criteria
Feedback during the development of the ARWAP consistently affirmed that co-design and working together will be essential in delivering the plan. Grant applicants will be assessed on how their proposal has or will be co-produced and/or how the project has the support of the people it is intended to engage. Further information on Co-Production can be found here: Co-production Network for Wales | copronet.wales
| Score | |
|---|---|
| 4 | A very clear, comprehensive and compelling explanation is given of how the proposal demonstrates community support/co-production for the project. |
| 3 | A clear and convincing explanation is given of how the proposal demonstrates community support for the project. |
| 2 | A somewhat clear explanation is given of how the proposal demonstrates community support for the project but contains minor gaps and could be more strongly developed. |
| 1 | Links to how the proposal demonstrates community support for the project are apparent but not fully explored. |
| 0 | No information has been provided as to how proposal demonstrates community support for the project.
|
11. Criteria 6: Long-term impact Criteria
The Welsh Government has an ambition to deliver transformational change that can be sustained over time. Grant applicants will be assessed on how their project contributes to delivering this change. Grant applicants should evidence the difference the project will make and the long-term impact they anticipate that the project will have on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people in Wales. Applicants should detail and how this impact will be sustained over time.
| Score |
|
|---|---|
| 4 | A very clear, comprehensive and compelling explanation is given of how the project will deliver a positive change that can be sustained in the long term. |
| 3 | A clear and convincing explanation is given of how the project will deliver a positive change that can be sustained in the long term. |
| 2 | A somewhat clear explanation is given of how the project will deliver a positive change that can be sustained in the long term, but plans contain minor gaps and could be more strongly developed. |
| 1 | Links to how the project will deliver a positive change that can be sustained in the long term are apparent but not fully explored. |
| 0 | No information has been provided as to how the project will deliver a positive change that can be sustained in the long term. |
12. Criteria 7: Measuring and reporting. Criteria 6: Long-term impact Criteria
Projects should focus on monitoring how their activity is addressing the outputs, outcomes and impacts of ARWAP. Grant applicants will be assessed on how their application details how these outcomes will be monitored including, SMART indicators which measure the completion and success of the project including collecting data to enable assessment of performance against the wider ARWAP objectives. A SMART performance indicator will be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.
Applications must also commit to involvement in the Welsh Government evaluation of the programme.
| Score |
|
|---|---|
| 4 | A very clear comprehensive and compelling explanation is given of how the project will be measured and reported. |
| 3 | A clear and convincing explanation is given of how the project will be measured and reported. |
| 2 | A somewhat clear explanation is given of how the project will be measured and reported but plans contain minor gaps and could be more strongly developed. |
| 1 | Links to how the project will be measured and reported are apparent but not fully explored. |
| 0 | No information has been provided as to how the project will be measured and reported |
13. Monitoring and evaluation
Successful applicants will be responsible for collecting monitoring and evaluation data and reporting on participation and performance and will be expected to report regularly to the Welsh Government.
All applicants must ensure that any personal data processed in relation to their grant proposals is in line with UK date protection legislation.
At the end of your project you will be required to submit a short completion report confirming how the funds were used. A template will be issued following grant award and is likely to require you to report against how your project has delivered against the outputs of ARWAP, what evaluation activity has been undertaken, and how conditions of the grant have been met.
The Welsh Government is committed to evaluating the success of this grant and intends to undertake an independent evaluation of the Culture strands of the ARWAP. It is anticipated that this research will examine the implementation and impact of the activities that have been delivered. It will assess the extent to which the outputs and outcomes can be attributed directly to the scheme activities and examine whether wider anticipated or unanticipated effects have been realised.
The Welsh Government or a third party acting on behalf of Welsh Government may contact you for the purpose of research and evaluation and/or to give feedback on your experience of the scheme. This information will be analysed and presented anonymously in line with the Privacy Notice.
14. Where can I get help?
Applicants who have any queries, including if they are unsure if they’re eligible to apply for grant funding are advised to contact the Culture Division’s central mailbox at culture@gov.wales for advice on their potential project before submitting an application.
15. Other sources of information
16. Helpful grant terminology
Outputs
Outputs are the things that you do or produce during the project. Examples: Running a workshop or delivering anti-racism training.
Outcomes
Outcomes are the changes or benefits that happen because of your project – it is the difference your project makes. Examples: People gaining new skills, communities feeling more represented, organisations changing their ways of working.
Impacts
Impacts are the longer-term effects your project helps create. Examples: A more anti-racist cultural sector, increased cultural pride in future generations.
Payments in Arrears
Payments in Arrears is when you spend your grant money first, then claim it back later. Example: You pay for a venue hire, send the receipt to Welsh Government, and they reimburse you afterwards.
Payments in Advance
You receive grant money upfront, before you start spending it. Example: Welsh Government gives you part of the grant at the beginning to help pay your project costs.
Accruals
Outstanding payments owed to you by the Welsh Government at the close of the financial year, which may be pending due to you awaiting invoices from a third-party.