Ceredigion Community Projects Lead The Way

Seven new community led projects in Ceredigion are now underway following approval by the Cynnal y Cardi Local Action Group (LAG).
Cynnal y Cardi, which is administered by Ceredigion County Council, has supported a number of local ideas which address the economic, social and environmental challenges identified in Cynnal y Cardi’s Local Development Strategy. These include Academi Arweinyddiaeth Gymunedol (Community Leadership Academy); Cegin Prydiau Plant/Holiday Kitchen; Coed y Bont Community Engagement Project; Dyffryn Aeron Cycle Path; Intergenerational Community Resilience Project; Pen Dinas Hill Fort: Exploring the Celtic Coast and Pweru’r Dyffryn (Powering the Valley). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Jig-So Children’s Centre’s pilot project, ‘Cegin Prydiau Plant/Holiday Kitchen’ will aim to help parents and carers prepare healthy, nutritious and inexpensive meals for children in the Cardigan and surrounding area. “Jig-So is pleased to have the opportunity as a Third Sector body to deliver this innovative pilot project which seeks to support families on a low income and to provide a much needed service during school holidays” said Linda Grace, Chair of Trustees, Jig-So Children’s Centre. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The new projects, being delivered across the county, aim to address many challenges faced by rural communities such as social exclusion, health and wellbeing, education, enterprise, and renewable energy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Gareth Lloyd, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic and Community Development Services, Ceredigion County Council said: “I am delighted to see a diverse range of projects coming through the LAG. Each of these innovative projects will, I’m sure, enrich the lives of many people in rural Ceredigion. I look forward to see how the projects progress over the coming months.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Each project has been supported under the LEADER Scheme through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government. The project aims to improve the quality of life across rural Ceredigion through the development of sustainable rural communities. It aims to foster wider community cohesion by encouraging the development of skills and knowledge, bringing forward stronger and inclusive partnership working and improving local cooperation within communities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Based in Penparcau, Aberystwyth, the ‘Pen Dinas Hill Fort: Exploring the Celtic Coast’ project aims to develop a greater understanding of this important landmark. Project Director, Penparcau Community Forum Ltd, Dr Alan Chamberlain said: “Pen Dinas hill fort is arguably one of the most important historical sites in Wales – sitting partially within the ward of Penparcau (a village near Aberystwyth, Ceredigion). This funding will allow the community of Penparcau to work with partners such as the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales in order to explore and understand the hill fort, and to further look at possibilities that the site offers.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cynnal y Cardi would like to hear from individuals, communities, businesses or organisations who would like to support their rural area. The next closing date for submitting ideas is 11 July 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​