Welsh Government Launches Grants to Support Business and Research Links with EU
New funding to help maintain and strengthen Wales’ business, economic and research ties with European regions following Brexit has been announced.
The Welsh Government’s Agile Cymru programme has been launched with the aim of supporting Welsh businesses and organisations to take forward economic co-operation in the Irish Sea region, and with other European regions.
The programme will award grants to businesses in Wales to maintain and develop new partnerships, networks and collaborations with important regions and nations in the rest of Europe.
Agile Cymru aims to deliver cross-border and international economic co-operation across shared interests. It includes flexible grant schemes to support co-operation activity across themes and sectors.
Funding for the Irish Sea region is aimed at stimulating co-operation around the maritime economy as well as in innovation, communities and culture. Grants of up to £40,000 are now available for Welsh businesses and organisations, for travel, engagement, consultancy, forming networks, feasibility studies and pilot projects.
Further funding will also help develop economic links with regions of the European Union (EU) such as the Basque Country, Baden Württemberg, Brittany, Flanders, Catalonia and Galicia. Grants of up to £25,000 are available for Welsh businesses and organisations interested in creating economic opportunities with EU regions and transferring international knowledge to Wales.
Launching the programme, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said:
‘I’m pleased to announce this funding to support ongoing economic co-operation in the Irish Sea region as well as with other European regions with strategic value to our economy.
‘Economic partnerships with other nations and regions of Europe help Welsh businesses and organisations scale up activity, drive innovation and increase our profile globally.’
Applications are now open, with a focus on expenditure to be claimed by the end of March 2024.
(This report was the subject of a GRANTfinder Newsflash.)
