Up to £500,000 available to community groups from Ffos-y-fran fund

Merthyr Tydfil community groups can apply for up to £500,000 from a fund established to help improve the quality of life for local residents.

The Ffos-y-fran Large Grant Scheme will open for applications today (1 July).

Grants of between £5,000 and £500,000 are available for projects that help create a ‘strong, sustainable and diverse economy’, support people in developing new skills, and contribute to making Merthyr Tydfil a more ‘vibrant, attractive, safe and sustainable place’ to live.

County Borough Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing Cllr Geraint Thomas said: “Ffos-y-fran funding continues to contribute greatly to the quality of life for residents of communities across the county borough.

“We’re urging any groups with plans that need some financial support to come forward and let us know what they want.”

The Ffos-y-fran Community Grants Scheme was set up by the County Borough Council in collaboration with Merthyr (South Wales) Limited, which donates £1 for every ton of coal sold from the Ffos-y-fran land reclamation scheme.  More than £8m has been awarded to a wide range of groups and causes since the site opened in 2007.

The deadline for applications for the latest round of awards is Friday 29 July at 4pm. For further information or an application form, contact the Ffos-y-fran Benefit Fund Coordinator on 07563 398667 or ffosyfran@merthyr.gov.uk