Complete Guide to Grants in Wales
Over £300 million in grant funding is available to Welsh businesses, charities, and social enterprises each year. This guide covers every major funding source from Business Wales to local council grants.
£300M+
Annual funding available
22
Local authority schemes
50+
Active grant programmes
287,000
Active businesses in Wales
Major Welsh Funding Bodies
These are the primary sources of grant funding for Welsh businesses and organisations.
Business Wales
The Welsh Government's business support service offering grants, advice, and skills development for Welsh businesses.
Various grants from £1,000 to £50,000+•businesswales.gov.wales
Key Programmes:
- Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme
- Business Wales Skills Gateway
- Social Business Wales
- Barriers to Start-up Grant
Development Bank of Wales
Provides loans, equity investment, and mezzanine finance to Welsh businesses. Works alongside grants to provide complete funding packages.
Loans from £1,000 to £10 million•developmentbank.wales
Key Programmes:
- Micro Loans (£1,000-£50,000)
- Business Loans (£50,000-£5m)
- Wales Technology Seed Fund
- Wales Angel Co-investment Fund
Welsh Government
Direct funding programmes for strategic sectors including tourism, manufacturing, food & drink, and creative industries.
Varies by programme•gov.wales
Key Programmes:
- Transforming Towns Programme
- Tourism Investment Support Scheme
- Food Business Investment Scheme
- Creative Wales Production Fund
WCVA (Wales Council for Voluntary Action)
Supports charities and voluntary organisations with funding, training, and governance advice.
Various grants for third sector•wcva.cymru
Key Programmes:
- Active Inclusion Fund
- Volunteering Wales grants
- Third Sector Infrastructure Fund
Grants by Sector
Wales has specific funding programmes for key strategic sectors.
Technology & Digital
£10,000 - £500,000
- • Wales Technology Seed Fund
- • Smart Cymru R&D grants
- • Digital Transformation grants
Manufacturing
£25,000 - £250,000
- • SMART Manufacturing
- • Made Smarter Adoption Programme
- • Property Development Grants
Food & Drink
£5,000 - £150,000
- • Food Business Investment Scheme
- • Origin Wales grants
- • Food Innovation Wales
Tourism & Hospitality
£10,000 - £500,000
- • Tourism Investment Support Scheme (TISS)
- • Visit Wales Marketing Fund
- • Rural Tourism grants
Creative Industries
£5,000 - £1,000,000
- • Creative Wales Production Fund
- • Screen Alliance Wales
- • Arts Council of Wales
Agriculture & Rural
£2,500 - £200,000
- • Farming Connect grants
- • Rural Development Programme
- • Food Business Investment Scheme
Local Authority Grants
Every Welsh council administers business grants and regeneration funding. Here are examples from major councils—contact your local authority for current schemes.
Cardiff
Business development, town centre regeneration
Swansea
SME support, Bay regeneration projects
Newport
Business rates relief, start-up support
Wrexham
Town centre business grants, property improvement
RCT
Valleys regeneration, community enterprise
Gwynedd
Rural enterprise, Welsh language businesses
Carmarthenshire
Agriculture diversification, rural tourism
Pembrokeshire
Tourism, marine industries, rural enterprise
Cyllid ar gyfer Busnesau Cymraeg
Wales is the only UK nation with its own language. Several funding programmes prioritise Welsh language businesses as part of the Welsh Government's Cymraeg 2050 strategy to reach one million Welsh speakers.
Language Priority
Some grants award additional points for Welsh language business plans and Welsh-medium service delivery.
Regional Support
Gwynedd, Ceredigion, and Ynys Môn councils offer specific support for Welsh language enterprises.
Cynnig Cymraeg
Businesses can demonstrate Welsh language commitment through the Cynnig Cymraeg (Welsh Offer) scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grants are available for start-ups in Wales?
New businesses in Wales can access the Barriers to Start-up Grant (up to £2,000), Business Wales support programmes, Development Bank of Wales micro loans (£1,000-£50,000), and local council start-up grants. Social enterprises can also access Social Business Wales funding.
How do I apply for Business Wales funding?
Start by contacting your local Business Wales advisor through businesswales.gov.wales or call 03000 6 03000. They will assess your needs and guide you to appropriate funding programmes. Most grants require a business plan and financial projections.
Are there grants specifically for Welsh-speaking businesses?
Yes, several programmes prioritise Welsh language businesses. The Welsh Government's Cymraeg 2050 strategy supports Welsh language use in business. Gwynedd and Ceredigion councils offer specific support for Welsh-medium enterprises.
What is the Development Bank of Wales?
The Development Bank of Wales is a Welsh Government-owned bank that provides loans, equity, and mezzanine finance to Welsh businesses. Unlike grants, these are repayable, but they often work alongside grants to create complete funding packages.
Can charities in Wales access grant funding?
Yes, Welsh charities can access funding through WCVA, National Lottery Community Fund Wales, local community foundations, and various Welsh Government programmes including the Active Inclusion Fund and Volunteering Wales grants.
What is the Shared Prosperity Fund in Wales?
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) replaced EU structural funds. In Wales, local authorities administer UKSPF funding for community projects, business support, and skills development. Contact your local council for current programmes.
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