Written Statement - Welsh Language Centres and Learning Spaces 

At the National Eisteddfod in August I announced a Capital Investment Fund to develop Welsh Language Centres and Learning Spaces to promote the use of, and immersion in, Welsh. 

The aim of the Fund is to support our policy, Bwrw Mlaen, in enabling local authorities, colleges and universities to work with community partners to develop dynamic centres to enable people to learn or practice their Welsh.

Today I am announcing that the following projects will receive support during the 2014-15 financial round:

• Ynys Mon Council (£138,723) to develop the county’s Welsh Language latecomers’ immersion centres
• Trinity-St David’s University (£300,000) to purchase a building in Carmarthen town centre to be converted into a multi-purpose Welsh Language Centre
• Carmarthenshire Council (£70,000) to work with third sector partners to develop a multi-purpose Welsh language centre in Llanelli
• Coleg Cambria (£300,000) to develop a Welsh Language Skills in the Workplace Centre in Wrexham town centre to provide Welsh Language learning and networking opportunities for businesses.

Encouraging people to use the Welsh language in their daily lives and in their local communities is at the heart of our commitments in our policy statement, Bwrw Mlaen.

The projects I am announcing today will create dynamic learning centres in our towns and communities and become real focal points for the language for people of all ages.
The centres will play a key role in promoting the use of the language, offering opportunities for people to practice their Welsh and boost their confidence levels.  
A further £1m Capital Fund for 2015-16 is now open for applications and I would encourage local authorities, colleges and universities across Wales to bid for the next round of funding.