Community fund
As a not-for-profit company, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. So we have launched the Welsh Water Community Fund to give something back to the communities we are investing in.
We know we sometimes cause disruption in the communities we are working in, and we want to leave them in a better place once we complete our work.
The Community Fund is a chance for communities to boost fundraising efforts for good causes in their area. If you live in an area where work is taking place – and you’re fundraising for projects to benefit the community – you could receive funding from Welsh Water up to a value of £1,000.
‘Priority will be given to those projects where Welsh Water are, or have been, working’.
Examples of projects that could receive funding include:
- Improvements to the environment or local community initiatives promoting health, wellbeing and environmental objectives.
- Activities undertaken by registered community groups (specifically with health, wellbeing, environmental objectives).
- Improving and supporting local education activity (e.g. water efficiency, environmental work).
- If you are interested in applying for the fund and require more information please see the Frequently Asked Questions section at the bottom of this page for eligibility.
The types of applications we cannot fund include:
- Individuals – including “gap year” activity, trips, overseas volunteering or research
- Other funders or grant makers
- Party political activities
- Specifically religious groups
- Events, conferences or sponsorship
- Ongoing and staffing costs
Please note:
The decision to award funding is entirely up to the discretion of the community panel.
Welsh Water will not take any role in organising an event or manage any risks involved. Community groups will need to undertake their own assessment of risk in relation to any activity / event undertaken.
Once the allocated annual fund has been spent the fund will close until the following financial year.
Community Projects
Who can apply?
Any non-profit organisation can apply for the Fund. The project must be based within the communities we serve and priority will be given to the communities where we are, or have been, working.
What do you need to do?
All you have to do is complete our online application form here. A special community fund panel will consider your application and make a decision on whether your project is successful or not.
How much funding is available?
Successful applications can receive up to a maximum of £1,000 funding per project
What happens next?
Following the submission of an application, applications will be considered by a dedicated Community Fund panel.
- The Community Panel will consider the application and make a decision within 8 weeks on whether the project is successful or not.
- If the application is successful the project contact will be informed following the Panel meeting which will take place every month.
- The successful applicant will be sent a Letter of Agreement which will need to be signed and returned before the funds will be released. They will also be responsible for the project delivery.
- The successful applicant will be responsible for attaining all permissions and consents, and be legally responsible for all risks associated with the project. Welsh Water will not undertake any organisational or management role in the delivery of the project/activity.
- Funding awards are subject to agreement to participation in Welsh Water reasonable publicity activities.
A cheque will be sent to the successful applicant on return of the Letter of Agreement. Please note it may take up to 12 weeks for the cheque to be issued. - Successful applications may be subject to audit by arrangement following completion of the project to ensure that the project has been delivered in accordance with the application that was approved.
What is the criteria for getting funding
The Fund will allow groups to improve their communities through a range of areas:
- Improvements to the environment or local community initiatives promoting health, wellbeing and environmental objectives.
- Activities undertaken by registered community groups (specifically with health, wellbeing, environmental objectives).
- Improving and supporting local education activity (e.g. water efficiency, environmental work).
- The delivery of the project must be completed within 12 months of the application being approved and funding being provided.
- The funding provided must not be used to fund a specific project which is conditional on obtaining additional funding or consents.
Can I still apply for funding if Welsh Water hasn’t been working in my area?
Yes, but priority will be given to those schemes where Welsh Water are, or have been, working.