Enterprising communities: ARFOR Programme Local Fund on Anglesey

This is an enterprise support grant for commercially viable trading businesses that meet the Arfor criteria.

The fund is administered by the county council, and can provide:

funding to support both revenue and capital costs if eligible
financial support up to 70% of eligible project costs
grants from £5,000 up to £75,000

The Enterprising Communities Fund is competitive and value for money/other contribution will be an important consideration.

Any awards are discretionary.

The amount of any contribution will be the minimum required for the project to take place, and will reflect the level of benefits to the objectives of Arfor on Anglesey - these will need to include local economic benefits and benefits to the future of the Welsh language in the area.

Projects

The Arfor programme has identified the following as possible projects to support:

Create opportunities to innovate and develop new enterprises that align with local language, culture, heritage, resources, community benefit, landscape and environment.
Create and extend contemporary work opportunities (for example, media, digital, research, professional services) in order to retain young people/families in their communities.
Preserve wealth in the region by maximising local benefits (for example, by generating and saving energy for wider benefit, supporting foundational economy supply chains, local ownership of important local assets).

Application process

As part of the process, applicants are required to undertake a language assessment with the Welsh Language Commissioner, and work with the Commissioner to receive the Cynnig Cymraeg (The Welsh Offer) recognition by December 2024.

All grant applications will be subject to due-diligence checks, and those seeking larger grant sums will be subject to additional scrutiny. Any seeking £25,000+ will also be reviewed by Welsh Government officials.

It is anticipated that a more general local business support grant funds will be made available through the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) during 2023/24 and 2024/25. Details will be made public when these become available. If you agree, your expression of interest will be shared with those who administer these funds.

Apply

The expression of interest process is now closed.

Please contact arfor@ynysmon.llyw.cymru with any enquiries.

Original application information

If you are interested in applying for the ARFOR Enterprising Communities grant, you should:

read and understand the scheme guidelines (link opens a new tab)
engage the support of a business adviser through Business Wales, or another relevant agency
receive advice if the scheme is eligible under Arfor, or may be more suitable for other schemes
develop their business plan, including details of project costs and obtain quotes
complete a Welsh Language assessment (support can be obtained from Menter Iaith Môn)
submit an expression of interest using the online form on this page

Applicants are required to submit an expression of interest for review of suitability/eligibility before being invited to submit a full application.

Go to the expression of interest form