Other ways we can support community
Micro Fund Flexi
As well as two Micro Fund rounds per year we also offer Micro Fund Flexi which has no set deadlines but allows us to potentially consider applications outside of planned funding rounds. Please see here for more information and please contact the PyC staff team if you would like to discuss this: enquiries@penycymoeddcic.cymru / 01685 878785
Loans
When we receive a funding proposal for a Vison Fund from a business that is private or profit gerenrating we may choose to support via a loan, a grant or a loan/grant mix.
The reason for this is that is business investment will lead to profit and business has capacity to repay some of that to the fund, it allows us to recycle funds to support even more businesses or community activity.
Our loans are usually interest free and we will always consider a repayment holiday. If you are a business that contacts the fund we will discuss the option for a loan with you.
Direct Investment
Pen y Cymoedd can directly invest in communities where appropriate, and we have done this once already with purchase of Afan Lodge Hotel. You can read more about the investment here
Other ways of working
1. The Community Fund awarded funds for several defibrillators with community groups and buildings in first few years but recognising that we could be more proactive we approached Calon Hearts and working with them we funded the installation of 78 public access defibrillators across the fund area in one proposal. Calon Hearts working with us, and local community voluntary councils contacted communities, local councillors and other community members and mapped access to defibrillators. We identified 78 locations across all towns and villages that it would be beneficial to install a defibrillator including community buildings, private businesses and a variety of other locations. All of the defibrillators are accessible to the public and will be registered on the Circuit and Welsh Ambulance register.
2. Due to increased energy costs and pressures on community-run buildings, the Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Fund – working with Interlink RCT, Neath Port Talbot CVS, Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council, identified a need for voluntary organisations responsible for the management of community buildings to be able to access support around energy efficiency and identified community buildings which may be eligible for a FREE energy efficiency survey. Pen y Cymoedd funded free energy efficiency surveys for forty community organisations in the Pen-y-Cymoedd area of benefit. The surveys were carried out by an independent energy charity Severn Wye Energy Agency. The benefit of having the survey is to identify zero-cost changes that can have immediate impact on energy usage and costs and to help identify other improvements which could have significant impact in the longer term and offer yourselves, and funders, a good return on investment and all partners will work to identify, support and work with buildings that are suitable for the scheme.
If you have an idea for an innovative project or business in the fund area, get in touch the staff team would love to hear your ideas.
